Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

by Keith Ferrazzi

I learned that real networking was about finding ways to make other people more successful.

“Fair enough. I’ll sum up the key to success in one word: generosity.”

Until you become as willing to ask for help as you are to give it, however, you are only working half the equation. That’s what I mean by connecting.

I knew, however, that relationships are more like muscles—the more you work them, the stronger they become.

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where—” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. —Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

some very important questions. Have you ever sat down and thought seriously about what you truly love? What you’re good at? What you want to accomplish in life? What are the obstacles that are stopping you? Most people don’t. They accept what they “should” be doing, rather than take the time to figure out what they want to be doing.

An unwritten wish is just a dream. In writing, it’s a commitment, a goal.

And it would never have happened if my father hadn’t believed that it never hurts to ask.

My father taught me that the worst anyone can say is no. If they choose not to give their time or their help, it’s their loss. Nothing

The choice isn’t between success and failure; it’s between choosing risk and striving for greatness, or risking nothing and being certain of mediocrity.

“There are two types of speakers: those that are nervous and those that are liars.”

When you feel up to it, become one of the leaders of the group. This last step is crucial. Being a leader in life takes practice—so practice!

The follow-up I remember best is the one I got first.

Pro tip: Don’t wait until two weeks after the conference. Do it on the plane home and get it out immediately so that it gets to people while they’re still fresh from the conference high.

The best sort of connecting occurs when you can bring together two people from entirely different worlds.

The strength of your network derives as much from the diversity of your relationships as it does from their quality or quantity.