I’m always interested in how leaders in every industry manage to stay on top. After reading hundreds of books, thousands of magazine articles, countless personal development articles/CDs/etc., I’ve discovered that it isn’t any form of magic. That may seem obvious to most of you, but to me that was a revelation of sorts. How do some people get so far, so fast, so effectively? It used to puzzle me to no end.
Now, I see the method to their madness and it isn’t as complicated as I once thought. It isn’t easy, that’s for sure. Just taking a gander around my own finite communities, I can see many leaders in their fields, organizations, technologies, families, etc. There are literally way too many to link to here. You know who you are and if anyone happens along this post and is curious, just let me know and I’ll connect you to just about anyone you want in any field of expertise, in any industry, in any occupation, in any academic pursuit, in any philosophical or political belief system, etc. The world is filled with experts and I feel so very fortunate to be associated with as many as I am. I am humbled by my social network. Most of all, I am fortunately thankful.
The point is that the world, while being physically much larger than ever before, is actually much smaller in terms of connections. We’re really closer than ever before, in large part due to technology, and in ever-present part to the innate human desire and ability to communicate with each other. More people who share interests (and counter-interests) are connecting than ever before. I personally have hope that this connectedness will foster increased collaboration and innovation. It seems intuitive and I’ve seen it first hand and it works.
So, back to the beginning. Why and how do some get and stay on top? They do it through their commitment, their connections, and their communication with others who can/do/will benefit from interaction with them. Long live the connected age and may we all find the connections we need to elevate ourselves to the highest form of the grandest vision of our best selves!