ABSTRACT
As I was developing this system and discussing it with clients and colleagues, one person asked me the difference between “network” and “relationships.” I have identified and addressed the two separately because I believe they are very different, though related and occasionally overlapping. Both
have tremendous value and importance in the life of the successful executive. Both grow strong with time and attention. Given a choice, or if I had to rank them, relationships would supersede network. You can have great relationships that are part of a useful business network, but I don’t believe you can have a strong business network if you don’t know how to build and maintain relationships. Not that you need to have close personal relationships with everyone in your network in order for it to be useful and valuable-you don’t, but when having a relationship is important, you better know how to build one.
