Happy Monday! I'm picking on today's topic because today is my wife's birthday. And she's living proof - at least to me - of the power of others. We began dating as teenagers and have been married for over 41 years. To imagine going through this life without her power is beyond what I'm able to fathom. Thankfully, I've not had to. Happy birthday to her!

If you happen to connect with me at Linkedin - I'd encourage you to do that by visiting ConnectWithRandy.com - then you'll see the first line of my tagline says...
Helping Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs Leverage The Power Of Others
"The Power Of Others" is a critical phrase because it's one of the very best points of leverage any of us can have. And we can all have it if we want it.

It's also critical because of how strongly I believe in it. Belief is a major component in our lives because our beliefs drive our behaviors. This belief in the power of others drives my behavior to serve small business owners by helping them leverage the enormous value they can derive from being inside the smartest room possible. It's not about being the smartest person in the room. It's about being in a smarter room.

Why not? 

It's the question that has driven my entire professional life. It's the point of Friday's Daily Brief - pursuing unreasonable and impractical achievements. When others question whether something can be done or not I'm going to ask, "Why not? Why can't we figure out a way to do it?"

Why not leverage the power of others? That's a great question, but it's not today's question. Today we're answering the question, "Why should you ignore the power of others?"

Answer 1: Because you don't believe in it.

Many people who don't believe in leveraging the power of others think they're smarter than everybody else. But they don't realize it's not about intellect, education, skills or know-how. More often it's about vantage point. It's about perspective.

But if you don't believe in the help you can seize from others - or the help you can provide them - then nothing else matters!

Answer 2: Because you won't listen to anybody else anyway.

Some folks are know-it-alls. Maybe that's you. I hope not, but there are many people who still won't listen to others. You don't have to be a know-it-all. You just have to be stubborn enough - and arrogant enough - to think nobody's viewpoint, opinion, insight or experience is comparable in value to your own.

Answer 3: Because you're more focused on what you know than what you don't.

People who fixate on their knowledge tend to not be curious enough to desire more deep understanding. Or learning. Nevermind how they came to learn what they already know (somebody likely helped teach them).

We can get snarky and nickname them, "Bliss." As in, "Ignorance is bliss."

The gaps in their understanding go ignored, trumped by the vast knowledge they feel they already have.

Answer 4: Because you discount the value of others.

Prejudice and bias corrupt the opportunity many would have to learn, understand and grow based on the insights of others. For example, it's common for owners of big companies to discount whatever insights might be offered by a business owner operating a company with lower revenues. "Why should I listen to anything he's got to say? He's doing half the revenue we're doing."

That level of bigotry is a valid reason to ignore the power of others.

Answer 5: Because you're uninterested in growing your business, your leadership, and your life.

Maybe you're the person who answers questions about growth with, "No, I'm good." I won't shoot down complacency. It's your life and if being complacent is what you want...