Isaac Newton famously said, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Among other things, this quote is a reminder of how mentors, connectors and influencers can help us go farther, faster. Sometimes, it’s really not about what you know; it’s about who knows you.
You are probably familiar with the biblical account of Joseph the dreamer and dream interpreter, whose life practically changed overnight. He interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams and that single action took him from being a prisoner to becoming the prime minister of Egypt.
The interesting thing is that Joseph had been in the business of interpreting dreams all along! But his life did not change until he offered his services to Pharaoh — and that happened through referral.
Long before Pharaoh had his baffling dreams, an influencer and a member of Pharaoh’s cabinet was serving prison term with Joseph. The dream interpreter connected with this influencer, offering his services pro bono. And by this, he built the bridge that would take him from prison to palace. You can read the full story in chapter 40 and chapter 41 of the first book of the Bible, called Genesis.
The connection principle
In life, there are some places you cannot get to on your own; you need someone to introduce you. If you have been diligent and consistent in doing all the right things but you have not been receiving the rewards you deserve, it’s not because you’re not good enough. It’s because you have not been discovered by the right people.
Your potentials will blossom when your gifts and abilities gain the attention of influencers and authority figures. The same service that Joseph had been offering for free to prisoners was what he offered to the king and got handsomely rewarded for. We have lots of similar biographies not only in the Bible but also in history and even in the present day.
Instead of resenting successful people who have learnt to build bridges and leverage on value-driven relationships, it is important that you understand this connection principle and know how to use it in your favour.
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