Page 116 - Leadership Secrets of Hillary Clinton

LISTENING TOURS

perspective, or they can connect you with people whom you
would not ordinarily meet within your current network.
I’ve already discussed the advantage of having different
perspectives in order to find the most effective way to
address today’s business challenges, but let me explain why
you might want to establish a relationship with someone
who operates in very different circles from those in which
you operate. One relationship in a new “community” can
expand your network dramatically because that one person
can connect you to anyone else in her network. I’ve men-
tioned attending several functions in Washington, D.C.,
that were hosted by Hillary. I attended because she has
always fascinated me and I knew that there would be inter-
esting people there and that the conversations would be
memorable, but I also knew that I’d meet a broad spectrum
of professionals with very different backgrounds and life
experiences from those of the people that I ordinarily meet.
In one room, I’d often find lawyers, doctors, politicians,
teachers, scientists, and even philanthropists. I always tried
to remember whom I met, and sometimes I even collected
business cards. Then I’d go home and jot down when and
where I met each person and what was memorable about
him. I can’t tell you how often, when someone asked me for
help or when I needed to build a broad base of support for
a business venture or for a cause I was supporting, I’d tap
into those folks. When I called, I mentioned where and
when we had met and what I remembered about that per-

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