Never Despise Anybody!

Everybody is five people away from the person you need to meet! Imagine that!

Think about this for a moment: that dream client, that perfect investor, that ideal mentor, or that game-changing business partner might be just five introductions away. In our interconnected world, this isn't just a possibility—it's a reality that should fundamentally change how we interact with everyone we meet.

The Power of the "Five Degrees" Principle

When you truly understand that anyone could be your bridge to opportunity, your approach to relationships transforms. One of the key lessons my Pastor, Apostle Julius Suubi, repeatedly teaches is the value of relationships. That barista who serves your morning coffee? She might be taking evening classes with the daughter of a venture capitalist. The quiet guy at the gym? He could be the brother-in-law of your future business partner.

"Everyone you meet has something to teach you." - Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group

Real-World Examples That Prove This Truth

• A janitor at a tech company who mentioned his daughter's coding skills to a manager, leading to her landing a dream job
• A taxi driver whose passenger happened to be a book publisher, turning his life stories into a bestselling memoir
• A junior employee who connected two CEOs through their shared love of jazz music, resulting in a multi-million dollar merger
• A receptionist who briefly interacted with the CEO for the first time during a company function shared her vision and was immediately transferred to the job of her dreams, aligned with her passion

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelou, Businesswoman and Literary Icon

What Can We Do Today?

1. Treat Every Interaction as an Opportunity - Be present in every conversation. Show genuine interest in people's stories, Remember that kindness compounds.
2. Become a Connection Builder - Listen for opportunities to connect people. Keep track of people's interests and needs and be proactive in making introductions.
3. Maintain Your Network with Care - Follow up on conversations and share valuable information and resources. Celebrate others' successes. (There's plenty to celebrate on LinkedIn)
4. Practice Inclusive Networking - Engage with people across all levels and look beyond obvious professional connections. Value diversity in your network.

I remember over twenty years ago, when we first got married, my husband and I were not working, and had no jobs but were totally in love and decided that we would not wait to get jobs. We enjoyed the honeymoon period, spending time together and sharing our dreams. A couple of weeks after our wedding, we went to visit a relative just to appreciate their input and support in our wedding, and while discussing, a business idea came up. This relative connected us to a business opportunity that brought us millions within a couple of months.

Every relationship matters!

"The way we treat people we think can't help us - that's a sign of our character." - Simon Sinek, Author, Leadership Expert

The Ripple Effect of Respect

When you choose to never despise anyone, you:

• Create a positive reputation that precedes you,
• Build trust that opens doors,
• Develop a sixth sense for valuable connections, and
• Generate goodwill that returns multiplied.

"Every person you meet knows something you don't. Learn from them." - H. Jackson Brown Jr., Best-selling Author

Moving Forward

Remember: The person you dismiss today might be interviewing you tomorrow. The intern you ignore might become a CEO. The elderly neighbor you help might have a grandchild working at your dream company.

Success leaves clues, and one of the most consistent patterns among highly successful people is their ability to treat everyone with respect, regardless of apparent status or immediate utility.

"Your network is your net worth. The more people you know, the more doors that open." - Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur and Investor

Take action!!!

1. Start viewing every interaction as a potential gateway to opportunity.
2. Practice active listening in all conversations.
3. Keep a record of interesting facts about people you meet.
4. Make it a habit to connect people who might benefit from knowing each other.
5. Follow up with your network regularly, even without an immediate agenda.

Final Thought

Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks, once said: "The currency of leadership is not intelligence, but authenticity, and what I define as the highest form of authenticity is the ability to listen."

No man is an island, we need each other! In a world where opportunity often comes through relationships, the practice of "never despising anyone" isn't just good ethics—it's good strategy. Your next life-changing connection might be just five people away.

Take time to listen, pay full attention, notice people, and be interested—it can all be seen in your body language!

The only question is: are you treating everyone you meet as if they could be one of those five?

#LeadingDaily

Best,

Terry