Get in front of interesting people. One of our key tenets at Service Express is to connect our team with the outside world. This means meeting people who are doing the kinds of things we aspire to do. Whether it’s exploring other companies, discovering new opportunities or learning from people who are where we want to be, it’s all about connecting and growing. This applies both professionally and personally.
Getting in front of people who are already where you want to be and learning from them can be incredibly powerful. What I’ve found is that if you reach out in a genuine way—without trying to sell anything but simply wanting to connect and learn—you’d be surprised how much people are willing to share. Just today, for example, I had the chance to meet two very interesting people. One came to my office for coffee, and the other joined me for a tour and lunch.
I love these moments. They expand my thinking and inspire me. It’s a great way to share where we are as a company and what we’re working on, while also learning about others and their goals. When we exchange ideas like this, we add value to each other. I always leave days like this feeling so motivated and full of new ideas. I’ve already jotted down some thoughts on my whiteboard, which helps me focus on what’s most meaningful.
Reading and listening to podcasts are excellent ways to grow, but getting out there and connecting with interesting people is another powerful way to develop professionally and personally. It also gives you the chance to share value with others and pay it forward to those who might reach out to you someday.
As we head into 2025, consider making this a goal. Set a quarterly target for the number of people you want to connect with to learn from and also think about how many people you can help by sharing what you’ve learned!
