Why I Don’t Care To Know Everybody (Even If I Know Everybody)

Posted on | February 25, 2008 | No Comments

People say that I know everybody. Or at least that is the perception from some of those who have gotten to know me. People say that my professional and social network is pretty big. I don’t think it is. In fact, I feel like I don’t know anybody at times. I guess it’s all relative.

But even it is true that I have a bigger network than most, I just don’t think it’s the most important aspect to focus on. Yeah sure it’s nice to walk into a place and run into quite a few acquaintances and have people say, “Dean! Nice to see you again.” That never gets old.

But what does get old is just building up a network of meaningless acquaintances and contacts. I want to develop “Go To” people in both my social and professional network. People that I can go to when I want to go dancing, partying, do business, find an important contact, need to talk to, seek advice in, and more.

What good is building a big network if you don’t have people that you can rely on? I’m not into winning a popularity contest. People know you today and then ignore you tomorrow. I don’t just want to meet people. I want to know them inside and out. What makes you tick? Do we have anything in common? Are you reliable? Are you a person of good character?

So with as many people that I know, I find that I only have meaningful relationships with a handful of them. That is why I brush aside those comments of “Oh, Dean knows everybody.” I really don’t know everybody. But I am trying to.