My list for 2012
One of the things that a mentor of mine shared with me many years ago was how I should always keeping a running list of people that I want to really work with. He told me that he had been doing this for decades and it had helped him achieve much of his success over the years.
He suggested that I do the same and that I should create a yearly “A List” that should be curated and managed well and do so every single year. He suggested that I every time I meet someone of particular and overwhelming interest that I should write their name down and make it a point to get to know them even better to discover and explore if there are any opportunities to either work with them directly or recruit them.
As I sat down this morning to walk through my list I realize that I’ve never shared this strategy publicly as it’s one of the best and most “interesting” things that I do every single quarter. As we enter into calendar month #6 it was time to open my “2012 A List” and make a few edits.
Here’s what I do:
- Anyone Missing? - I always review the list of who I’ve added and spend some time contemplating if I’ve forgotten to add anyone to this running list. Inevitably I will have forgotten one or two people and I add them to the bottom of the list.
- Any Waste? - It might sound harsh but there are some people on my list (and my mentor’s list) that after some time, discovery, or after the initial energy and excitement of meeting the person for the first time dies down you realize that this person has little to be offered at this point in time and has little to return as well. This doesn’t mean that they aren’t great people to network with in the future but the reason you cross these people off is because you only have a limited amount of time each year to do your best work with and you want to be incredibly judicious about the list yearly. I also inevitably cross a few names off the list each review cycle. Occasionally (and sadly) there are times when I have to cross a name off because I learned things about that person that completely turned me off or because of some ethical issue that I discovered.
- Any Success? - The next thing I do is I check off the names that I’ve engaged with and that are in a state of active conversation. I then let email track the rest of the relationship. I also spend a moment reflecting with gratitude the opportunity afforded to me to work with these people. More often than not they are providing me more value than I am able to return to them – incredibly humbling!
My personal A List has helped create conversations and generate relationships that are still in effect today – and some of the most important connections I’ve made were once birthed from the list.
Get On As Many A Lists as Possible
One personal goal I also have in terms of “A Lists” is that I try to get listed myself on as many people’s personal lists as possible. Now they might now have a physical place to put my name but there’s a mental bank that everyone’s created that is very similar.
I try to do as best as I can to be on as many of them by following this very simple rule: Provide as much value as possible to others.
The result is that I am shared amongst the people that I work with and I am a positive reflection of the businesses that I lead. My name and my organizations get passed around people’s internal networks as I’m virtually introduced to others.
My actions and attitude go before me everywhere and I try to be aware of this at all times. I know that my name has been “in” and “out” of season for many people just like there have been times of intense engagement with certain people and organizations and then seasons of silence and quiet. It’s not that these people or organizations are “done” with me but rather that we’ve moved on or are waiting for the next season of engagement!
And I can’t wait. Until then I’ll be doing as much as I can to serve the people who need me now.
I love this. I don’t hear many things that are “fresh” but this is. I know I’ve been doing this mentally as a connector for years but since I’ve just started my own business (social media consulting) and my own ministry (helping men/dads) grow in Godliness to lead their families) this is very timely and necessary-move it from head to paper. Doing this today while I plan for my day and adding you to the list
“The A List” is definitely a great tool to use. Jeff, I would also recommend for your ministry to check out “Trellis and the Vine”. It’s a book that discusses similar things in regards to discipling people that are on your “A List” because they will have a greater return in going out and discipling other people.
Check out the book here —-> http://www.wtsbooks.com/product-exec/product_id/7041/nm/The+Trellis+and+the+Vine%3A+The+Ministry+Mind-Shift+that+Changes+Everything+%28Paperback%29?utm_source=bterry&utm_medium=blogpartners
Ben, we read that book at my church. Very helpful!
Very cool. It’s a great resource for those of you in ministry.
I’ll look at it Ben. Thanks for the heads up. Keep doing what you’re doing!!
Very interesting. What a wonderfull way to think. Isn’t great how mentors influence us. Thanks so much for sharing.
Yes! It’s always important that we are being mentored and serving as a mentor to others too.
Wow! What a great approach interaction within the communities we associate. It’s one thing to have reach, it’s another to have influence…the type of influence where you are considered an A-lister who offers value to the community.
Thanks John!
“It’s one thing to have reach, it’s another to have influence.”
This is exactly what we should be striving for, to have great reach and great influence.
Thanks for blurring my name out on the picture…just kidding…I’ve never thought of making an A-list or being on one…something to shoot for
thank you John, very refreshing read and take home with me to implement right away.
Great idea, John. And glad to know I’m somewhere on your A-List. (Don’t even pretend that I’m not! LOL)
thats a great practice.
we all must have such list , thanks for sharing this wonderful idea 
I love this idea of being intentional with the people you are wanting to invest in. I’ve always been taught that networking is not about what others can do for you, but you network so you can identify what you can do for others.
I think you do a great job of doing this, John.
You just basically described what discipleship is all about. I love it. I wrote about discipleship most of the times in my blog. Thank you for sharing this.
John, this was one of my favorite posts! I’m totally going to start an A list!
Thanks for consistently adding value to my life. I can’t wait to take your online class, probably December