At the moment, I am deeply engaged in Keith Ferrazzi’s book Who’s Got You Back. (I’m listening to the audio version which I scooped up on iTunes. Sidenote: If you don’t already use your “windshield time” listening to audio books, I hearby declare you to be crazy/nuts/whacko and I don’t know if we can be friends anymore, ok?)
There are some great insights in this book. It’s a book about networking…sort of.
The general principle is that by cultivating just three key relationships in your life, you can turbocharge your success, overcome all obstacles, and reach your highest dreams and aspirations.
The key is to first find three people who you think have the potential to see your life in the “big picture” and provide honest, forthright insights in a safe, non-critical environment. He calls these relationships “Lifeline Relationships.”
Here are Ferrazzi’s four key mindsets that one needs to learn and practice in order to to cultivate lifeline relationships:
1. Generosity
2. Vulnerability
3. Candor
4. Accountability
It all starts with generosity. When you give away value with no expectation of return, you build trust and gain many benefits from the “transaction.”
So, you start by being very giving and generous.
Next comes Vulnerability. The principle here is that when you open yourself up and let down your barriers to a person, they tend to react in-kind by doing the same. You establish mutual understanding.
Candor is third. In order for the lifeline relationship to see it’s full effects, you must both be willing and able to have complete candor. Constructive candor. Truth and acccuracy about the over-arching restraints, limitations, and shortcomings of one another, with a mind toward true achievement and improvement.
Finally, there’s Accountability. This one may seem obvious to some. It’s based on the same principles of recovery groups and many other programs based on improving lives or dealing with obstacles. No one can do it alone, in other words. We need core peer groups to help hold us accountable.
Now, if you’re anything like me and you have serious tendancies to lean toward independence and individualism, some of this might make your hackles go up. Believe me, I feel the same way. I would much rather go it alone, and take my chances, thank-you-very-much.
But I see the benefits of this type of thing. I can see how, in my life, there are huge opportunities for me if I incorporate some of these ideas and put them into practice.
How does this relate to business and life as a contractor, builder, or construction company?
Well, I can see some real practicality here. For example, as a contractor, could you imagine a situation where it would benefit you to have someone who can tell you where you might be dropping the ball with how your present yourself to clients? Or could you see how it might be helpful to get an outsider’s perspective about your company’s image to the general local population, and how that might be improved with only a few minor changes?
Wow, I sure can imagine some ways this could help me in my business.
How about you? Do you have your lifeline relationships humming along? Does anyone have your back?
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