I have a theory that there are 2 elements required for career success:
- What you know – you are hired and compensated because you have excellent skills and abilities that are in demand and few others have.
- Who you know – you have an ability to make things happen because people like you and trust you, people are willing to open doors for you and you are able to add value to yourself and others based on this ability.
Most people in the world that are successful use a combination of these two knowledge points. Some are more “What you know”. Some are more “Who you know”. Few are solely one or the other.
What is your knowledge mix for success?
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You know I lean toward “who you know,” but I’d never leave the house without my: MBA, CPA, CMA, CGMA, 30 years of experience in the school of hard knocks. This blog is simple and powerful.
Thanks Samuel.
Regards,
Ken.
Ken,
We may have a tendency to think of ourselves as one or the other. But in reality, success really requires both.
“Who you know” without “What you know” has little value.
The same applies for “What you know” without “Who you know”.
We all require both for success. The key is putting together the right mix of knowledge types.
Thanks for the compliments Ken. I appreciate your support and your input is always valued.
Best,
Samuel
Samuel. There is a second part of the who you know. It is the relationship you have with the people you know.
JD,
I agree that “who you know” requires the ability not just to know them, but for them to be willing to go out of their way to add value to you.
*Knowing* the President of the United States doesn’t mean you met him once. It means that you have his private number, that he will take your call, and he will cut any red tape if you asked.
Best,
Samuel
Dear Samuel,
All that is stated is correct, these qualities are there only in selected few. Most of the places it is thecoming together of two people with one quality each and with their combination, they have gone places. Also their break up leads to sucess issue. In my view, we should idenitify our strong points and link with some one else having the other points and together ride the growth to success. This is equally applicble in employment, where the CEO does the networkins and CFO the knowledge. I hope u agree.
regards
sunil patel