Growing up, I remember hearing the phrase “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. I always  assumed it meant no matter how hard you worked or how educated you became, success only graced those born into privilege or into a family that yielded advanced social status.

After twenty plus years in business and sales, I’ve learned that my interpretation of the phrase could not have been farther from the truth.

What I’ve learned instead, is that who you know is a direct result of the work and energy put into developing authentic relationships.

Now don’t get me wrong, what you know and the education you’ve attained can obviously serve you well, but ultimately people propel you forward, and the effort it takes to connect with those people will always serve you better.