Never Eat Alone

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Don’t Keep Score, the second chapter offers readers encouragement to appreciate networking as a working towards relationships that optimize the other’s potential and not as some score card. “It’s a constant process of giving and receiving-of asking for and offering help” (Ferrazzi and Raz 22). The two chapters dwell on the issue of bearing the right attitude as B. Reece and M. Reece similarly opine, “Attitudes can be a barrier to communication in much the same way as emotions” (28). Interpersonal skills continue to determine the success of people in the contemporary business world. Although successful individuals have always worked hard and smart, they have cultivated networks or associations, which have kept them expedient. They have kept acquaintances at their side who have represented sources of authority and attainment.

Chapter three presents a three-step framework that basically combines one’s goals to passion, love, and a lifelong commitment. The fourth chapter advises readers to proactively reach out to others towards building networks before engaging them in meaningful endeavors. This entails getting exposed to as many persons as possible and later inclining towards those who are committed to the same things you seek to embark on. The Genius of Audacity, which is chapter five which also serves as a great source for inspiration to break out of traditional ways in creating new contacts. This aligns well with B. Reece and M. Reece observation, “Work is done through relationships” and therefore, acceptance as well as awareness of self; foster fruitful one-on-one relationships (8). As Ferrazzi and Raz present

The two men had never met. But Dad had a clear sense of how the world worked. He’d observed, even from the plant floor, that audacity was often the only thing that separated two equally talented men and their job titles. So he asked to speak with McKenna. McKenna, upon hearing the request, was so intrigued that he took the meeting. During the meeting, he agreed to meet me—but nothing more (45).

The worst can happen in the networking process is for the other person to decline an offer. In chapter six, the author presents a simple by comprehensive seven step process that advocates for transparency, reliance on credible information, emphasis on establishing few potent connections at a time, and treating all interviewees with dignity.

Section two of this book contains seven chapters which finely detail the hard hitting aspects of networking and by extension, thriving human relations. This section champions for a person seeking to be a good networker to do their homework well towards having potent ice breakers towards illustrating good knowledge of acquaintances. Taking names, warming up for cold phone calls that often occur when connecting with business personalities for the first time as well as artfully appreciating the role of administrative assistants or gatekeepers. The main idea in this section correlates well with B. Reece and M. Reece aspect of potent interpersonal relationships as well as group relations(8). Ultimately, this is not achievable without an individual harboring an honestly positive perception of self. Indeed, most persons exhibit a negative notion of self, founded on cases that are simply inaccurate. For instance, low self-esteem translates to negativity relative to past or present accomplishments.

The inability to maintain a healthy relationship with self makes it extremely challenging for one to engage in small talk which is essentially a stepping stone to purposeful networking. The third section in Ferrazzi and Raz’s book essentially segments the importance of strong and healthy group relations towards resolute networking. He points out that holding parties with the same kind of people all the time simply results in a stagnant network thus the need to invite strangers at random such as an older experienced person above one’s peer set (Ferrazzi and Raz 160). Even huge associations like political parties began with a simple tea or picnic which grew from persons with good self-relations which fostered healthy one-to-one associations and finally birthed productive group relations.

In conclusion, reviewing Never Eat Alone by Ferrazzi and Raz, it is evident that it complements the concepts of Effective Human Relations by B. Reece and M. Reece. Ferrazi and Raz begin the first section of his book by highlighting the significance of self-acceptance, self-awareness, trust, motivation, self-disclosure and communication as the foundations for fruitful networking. The subsequent sections underscore the importance of the nitty-gritties of one-on-one relations that leave a lasting impression on the interviewee towards better future interactions. B. Reece and M. Reece highlight that it is improbable for one to gain from one to one relations without good knowledge of self. The two books similarly encourage readers to project a positive outlook to human relations and by extension, networking with the aim of aiding others and not necessary gaining aid. This results in valuable relationships that grow to group relationships for even greater successes.

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Works Cited

Ferrazzi, Keith, and Tahl Raz. Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time. Crown Business, 2014.

Reece, Barry, and Monique Reece. Effective Human Relations: Interpersonal and Organizational Applications. Cengage Learning, 2016.