subject: Who do you know? [print this page] Who do you know? Who do you know?
This is a question or expression that every one says without thinking. People always say that what important is who you know not what you know. Then, they misinterpret it. People often say that you will get a job because who you know not what you know. That might be true because people misuse their power or position to hire based on anything other than qualification. Also, most people like to take the easy way to get what they want. However, the original meaning is that if you know important people, you know important things. It does not originally mean that if you know someone, you will get a job or get promoted. It does not mean that you will use them. It does not mean that if you get in trouble, and you know someone, you will get out of it, or he will get you out of it. Again, that might happen, but that does not mean it is right. This is the wrong meaning of the expression, or it is the misunderstood meaning of it. People misuse that expression. Most people think if they know someone in a company, they will get the job. However, they might get the job, but will they be able to keep it? If they are taking it with the wrong meaning, they will not keep it. I have seen people who got hired because the CEO. Once the CEO is gone, they were kicked out.
Knowing people is like reading books. That is the true meaning of the expression because if you know educated people who know a lot, they will give you their knowledge. Also, books are like food. Not everything you eat will give you nutrition. The same thing with books, there are junk books, and there are valuable books. We can apply the same idea to people. Who you know will teach you what you do not know.
The real meaning of this expression is that if you know someone who has knowledge, you will get some of his knowledge. That person will advice you and will tell you where to go. He will direct you. In other words, the people who surround you will make you. There is a saying that says; tell me who you are friends with, and I will tell you about yourself. As accountant, I learned that in order to have good accounting department, every one in that department should be with good knowledge. I can not have correct Balance Sheet without having correct accounts payable. It is like a team. Good people give you good advice. They also refer you to good people. When you know people with education, you share with them their education. They will learn from your education as well. People with knowledge like to learn. I always enjoy talking to people who know a lot because they will listen to me to know more. When I meet people with knowledge, I always ask them questions to learn from them. People who do not know anything think that they know everything. Even though, they have no clue about what you are talking about; they will tell you that they already know it.
Conversation with people with knowledge is two ways highway. You listen to them, and they listen to you. Also, talking with people with knowledge will train you on how to deliver the message. As I said earlier, if you are talking with someone who has no clue, you can say anything, and they do not care. However, you will rehearse what you learned with the people who have knowledge. For example, if you read a book, it is good to discuss it with someone to be able to retain the information you got from it. From my experience, I always get my articles' ideas while I am discussing matters with people.
If you know people without knowledge, stay away from them. Ignorant people give ignorant ideas. Some people you think if they have a degree or they are older, they have knowledge. It is not always that easy. Again, knowledge comes from education, reading, and people. That's why you have to distinguish between who is good and who is bad? Who does know? And who does not have a clue?
My advice, try to know people who have knowledge. Knowledge has long term benefit. Do not just look for people who can help you right away. Do not look for quick fix. It is good to have relationships with them, and after that they will help you. Do not be like a sales man who calls people to sell something. Be a friend call people to get to know them, and share with them knowledge and network. Knowledge will lead you to where you want to go and will keep you there. Without knowledge, you might be able to go where you want, but you will not be able to stay. Living without knowledge is like traveling without knowing the language. You can go to the foreign country, but you can not do any thing or stay because you do not know the language. The people you know will teach you what you do not know. You will know things from the people you know. That's why who you know is more important than what you know.
