🎤 Quotable quotes: “Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing"
— Ted Lasso
One of the questions we get asked most often is:
"How do you build a great network?"
It's an interesting question.
Because we don't think Ted Lasso would have liked the word network.
It sounds... transactional.
Like a collection of business cards.
Or LinkedIn connections.
Or people you keep around just in case you need a favor someday.
Ted would probably call them something else.
People.
🏟 Why This Matters for You
One of Ted's greatest leadership gifts wasn't strategy.
It wasn't soccer knowledge. (Thank goodness.)
It was the way he built relationships before he needed anything from them.
He got to know Higgins because he was curious.
He believed in Rebecca long before she believed in herself.
He invested in Roy before Roy was ready to become a coach.
He earned Trent Crimm's respect one conversation at a time.
None of those relationships began with an agenda.
They began with genuine interest.
And because of that, they became something much stronger than a network.
They became trust.
🌱 Relationships Compound
One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they need something before reaching out. (A new job. An introduction. A customer. Advice.)
By then, it often feels... well... a little obvious.
The strongest relationships are built long before there is any transaction attached to them.
They're built through small moments.
Sharing an article because it reminded you of someone.
Congratulating a friend on a promotion.
Introducing two people who should know each other.
Checking in just because.
None of those things are dramatic.
But over time, they compound.
Just like interest. (Only better.)
☕ The Diamond Dogs Never Kept Score
One of our favorite things about the Diamond Dogs is that nobody walks into the room owing anybody anything.
There isn't a scoreboard.
Nobody keeps track of who gave the most advice.
Or who listened the longest.
Or whose turn it is.
They simply show up.
Again and again.
Not because they expect something in return.
Because that's what good teammates do.
And isn't that what we all want?
Not a bigger network.
A better circle.
🤝 The Leadership Lesson
We've found that opportunities rarely arrive because we chased them.
They usually arrive because someone remembered us.
Not as the smartest person in the room.
Not as the loudest.
Not as the one with the perfect elevator pitch.
But as someone who was thoughtful.
Curious.
Helpful.
Pleasant to be around.
Funny how often kindness turns into opportunity.
🏁 Final Thought
Ted Lasso never collected contacts.
He collected people.
One conversation.
One biscuit.
One act of kindness at a time.
Maybe that's the real secret.
Don't build relationships because you need them.
Build relationships because people are worth knowing.
The rest has a funny way of taking care of itself.
— Nick & Marnie
Your tea sipping, relationship building, Diamond Dog believing friends
More leadership musings
🍪 Biscuits with the Boss:
Icebreaker time:
Who is someone you genuinely enjoy talking to but haven't reached out to in a while?
No agenda.
No ask.
Just someone you're glad is in your life.
Bonus question:
What's one small thing you could do this week to invest in that relationship?
🌎 This week in Here - There - Every F’ing where
We have truly been here there and everywhere :). We flew out to Ted's hometown (Kansas City, of course) and had multiple presentations. Here we are at our Garmin keynote. Points to Nancy and Ann!
We also virtually chatted with our friends in Greenville, SC. Shout out to Chris Woodlief and team!
Then we dined with Thundergong! founder Billy Brimblecom who was rocking his Rolling Stone's World Cup shirt. (And yes, yes, he took us to Jack Stack's and it was as good as advertised!)
And Marnie worked with the Upward Bound students at Chesapeake College.
Where have you been this summer?
Believe!
Nick & Marnie
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