Don’t Be Too Proud to Ask

A note to young leaders.

How many times have you been involved in a conversation where someone asks: “I wonder if there’s a person who …?”

It happens all the time, right?

Every business needs new customers, timely trouble-shooters, better suppliers and/or more talent.

And when people ask, are you typically willing to help? Yes – most people enjoy being helpful to others, even if there’s no immediate payoff for them.

So here’s a question for you: Are you regularly asking your network for introductions?

Truth be told: the vast majority of us don’t ask enough.

List all the major opportunities and challenges your business is facing today. Think hard. Who do you know that can help you realise or solve them?

If you don’t know all the relevant people directly, list all the people and companies you’d like to meet with. Think hard. Who do you know that could make a warm introduction to them?

Are you failing because you’re too proud to ask for introductions?