"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends."
Japanese Proverb
In business, as in the more private parts of my life, I am known, at least in part, by the company I keep. I am also supported and encouraged by those around me - or not, depending on who they are. And I am informed and advised by those around me - sometimes to my delight, other times to my dismay - again, depending on what sort of people I have chosen to place at my side.
StartupBooster, Guna Deivendran, asks and answers some serious questions about our networks.
How many true friends do you have? Are you in touch with them on a daily basis? I believe many entrepreneurs don’t take this particular subject seriously before they go about starting their own new business. If you maintain your relationships, it will be one of the best tools you can tap into when you launch your new startup. In most cases, this will not cost you a penny. These are the people you can count on to provide you with some feedback for your new website, new service or a product. They are the people that can spread the words about your products and services. They are your free marketers when you are ready to launch your next startup.
I encourage every company founder who comes to see me to examine, cultivate, and expand that close circle of fellow travelers on the very, very bumpy road of entrepreneurship. There actually is safety in numbers.
What do other have to say about this topic? As you might imagine, it is a very rich subject. Here is a tiny sampling.
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one."
"If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone. A man should keep his friendships in constant repair."
Samuel Johnson
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
Dale Carnegie
"My friends are my estate."
Emily Dickinson
And, perhaps best of all, my friends, if they are truly friends, constant replenish my supply of Moxie. They renew me with their spirits, so that I can stay focused on my vision, and committed to the actions that will make it real.
Now that's just plain cool.
Comments