Partner

Other people and organizations have better reach, better access to talent, and better ideas than you do.

I say this not to depress you, but because this is true for everyone. No one can go it alone. In our world, being connected is central to your ability to accomplish anything of value.

Partner with others, but do so in a thoughtful and cautious manner. Choose partners who have solid reputations, who share key values with you, and with whom you have goals in common.

Bear in mind that not every partnership needs to be like a marriage. Even as I type this, I am emailing back and forth with another writer to coordinate the simultaneous release of two articles focused on the same subject. If the effort does not prove valuable, our investment of time and effort will be just a few hours. But if it works, we both will be highly motivated to continue the joint effort.

The single biggest mistake I have witnessed in business is when someone decides he or she no longer needs anyone’s help. It is never true, and it almost always results in a spectacular crash.