In our recent writings, we discuss Laws of Leverage and how we use leverage to discover the power beyond our strength. Five questions that open our eyes to where we apply leverage:
Who do I know?
What are my opportunities/obstacles?
What does my culture offer me?
Our focus right now is on question three, “Who do I know?” Let’s make this practical:
Make a list.
Who I know matters - I may not have the answer or power to fix or solve an issue, but someone I know does.
Sitting with a group of pastors in a small city who were up against a massive problem in their city, I asked them this question. Who do you know? We got out a whiteboard and started writing, and within a few minutes, we had the entire 4X6 board filled with names. We came up with a Mayor, Superintendent of Schools, Police Chief, head of the city planning, school principals, Vice Mayor, television reporters, and more.
Within two days, some key “Who I know” people had sat together and partnered with these pastors to solve a massive problem in their city. Take a few minutes to write a list of names of people you know.
Make a need known.
Who I know might know the person I need to know - I asked for a recommendation on Facebook once and got 40 responses in less than a day.
I might not know who I need to know personally, but someone I know does. Be clear and ask for help. Does anyone know a good accountant? Does anyone know a wedding photographer? Does anyone know a handyman? Social media has made this much easier (using culture is in two weeks). A sentence from the Bible says it this way - “Many hands make for light work.” Proverbs 11:21
Add a question - “Who do I need to know?”
This is a strategic question for facing issues. In my work, I often need to know someone who can help with a Visa, with travel arrangements, with information in an area - so I search. There are two specific steps I take to find the right person.
Step One:
Clearly define the problem/issue/opportunity.
Without this clarity, I cannot get to the right person. A few years back, I dealt with a visa issue, and the clerk could not help me. I asked for a supervisor, who also could not help me. So I took a few minutes to identify my problem and then searched up who handles that particular problem. I found a person in the company, and they helped resolve my issue. I have used the question “Who do I need to know?” time and time again, and as I do, it leads me to resolution.
In one country I serve, customs always took the HIV medicines and surgery tools I would bring to a clinic. I defined the problem as clearly and succinctly as I could and then asked if any of my friends knew the head of security at the airport. One did and introduced me, and since then, nothing has been taken. “Who do I need to know?”
Step Two:
Lean into the altruism of people - even when you do not see it.
Men with guns and uniforms pulled over our vehicle, but it was apparent they wanted a bribe. When I did not offer a bribe, I asked to see their boss, and this was our conversation:
Boss Man: What did you bring me, big man?
Big Man (a.k.a. me): I brought you prayers to the God of creation.
Boss Man: I cannot spend those, what else do you have?
Big Man (a.k.a. me): I have my last water bottle; you may have it to refresh yourself in this heat.
Boss Man: I have water; what else do you have?
Big Man (a.k.a. me): I have a few dollars for the children of your country, but I can see by your uniform, you are a man of honor and would never take money from the children of your country.
Boss Man: Ah yes, big man, but I too have children.
Big Man (a.k.a. me): Smiling, I replied, and you might have the most blessed children in this country because they have a father who is a man of honor and works hard to care for them and teach them to be hard working citizens. My few dollars are for those sad and lonely children who are not as fortunate to have you as a father.
Boss Man: Smiling and laughing, he said, you are good at this, be blessed.
I leaned into his assumed heart for his country and kids. In doing so, he thanked me and blessed me as we left.
Who do you know?
Who do you need to know?
Take a few minutes to make a list.