RULE NO.39
Your Network Is Your Net Worth
Sourced from: Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
🪶 Rule Summary
Your success is tied to the strength and depth of your relationships. No matter how sharp your skills or solid your product, if you’re not connected to the right people, you’re playing small. Business still runs on trust—and trust is built through connection. The most valuable currency in business? Who will take your call.
🧠THIS RULE HELPS US WITH
- Building real, mutually beneficial relationships
- Moving beyond transactional networking
- Creating influence beyond your formal role or title
- Accelerating career opportunities, partnerships, and deals
- Ensuring you’re never navigating business growth—or setbacks—alone
🔍 ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
“Progress starts with asking better questions. Use this section and these prompts throughout The Institute to challenge assumptions, surface blind spots, and drive clearer thinking.”
Who do I need to know that I don’t know yet?
Who in my network genuinely knows me—not just my name?
Have I earned the right to ask favors… or have I only taken?
Do I have consistent rituals for connecting with people outside of my day-to-day?
If I disappeared tomorrow, who would reach out—and who wouldn’t notice?
🖋️ Executive Discussion Prompt
Most leaders treat networking like a one-time sprint instead of a lifelong habit. Ferrazzi’s premise is blunt—relationships drive results. Not just for rainmakers or extroverts, but for anyone trying to build something that lasts.
How intentionally are we cultivating relationships before we need them?
Who are we mentoring, connecting, or reaching out to simply to invest—not extract?
Follow up: And what systems do we have in place to make this part of our culture, not just individual charisma?
“Success in any field, but especially in business, is about working with people, not against them.” — Keith Ferrazzi, Never Eat Alone
🏛️ You’re early — and that’s a good thing.
The Executives Institute is brand new, as of June 1, 2025, and we’re building as we go. More pages and insights are being added every day. If a Rule resonates with you, we invite you to contribute your experience and become a Collaborator. Your voice will help shape the future of The Institute. Know someone who would add value here? Invite them to join — the more Members, the more Collaborators, the stronger the insight.