Porter Gale is a class act, and I’m proud she’s a friend of mine. This Glambition Girl helped grow Richard Branson’s Virgin America brand from its inception into one of the most beloved and popular airlines in the U.S. (It’s my favorite airline for sure.)
And her 2013 book Your Network is Your Net Worth has been called “masterful”, “compelling”, and “an instant classic”.
I first met Porter about two years ago via a mutual friend, and then I was honored that she interviewed me for her book, which I’m mentioned in a few times. (Ego stroked here :))
Porter believes (and I wholeheartedly agree) that your social capital—not your financial capital—is the most important asset in your portfolio.
Instead of worrying about what you don’t have, focus on what you CAN do when you build a network of authentic personal and professional relationships. Your next big dream could be just one connection away.
I asked Porter to share her top three success tips with all my Glambition listeners . Here they are, in her own words…
Tip #1: Identify barriers and get really honest
Porter says, “Identify barriers, and be really honest with yourself. I would ask people to do that. ‘What’s holding me back? Is it a negative voice I have that’s saying I’m not good enough? Is it a routine where I’m doing the same thing over and over so that I’m not meeting new contacts?’ So being really honest with yourself is key.”
Tip #2: Invest in your relationships
“I talk a lot [in the book] about the power of digital and social media and how you can start building more of an identity and your personal brand online. But more importantly, I talk about real, in-person meetings. If you have a geography barrier, Skyping or doing something is great, but make sure that you’re getting out there and putting the energy into the relationships that are important. Invest in your relationships.” ~Porter Gale
Tip #3 Change your mindset
Porter says, “Take on the mindset of giving back and not expecting anything in return. This has been a fun concept to chat with people. I have a girlfriend who is in sales and she was like, ‘Oh, my gosh! I just don’t have the time for that. I need EVERY sale to have some kind of R.O.I. attached to it.’ I said, ‘Well, you know what? If you change your mindset a bit, I bet amazing things will happen.’”
I loved the advice Porter also gives for the shy entrepreneur. And the story she tells about how she landed the job at Virgin America is about as inspiring as it gets!
How do you go from being unemployed to working for Richard Branson as a VP in his newest company? WOW. (I’ve had the pleasure of spending time with Richard a few times, and I can only imagine how powerful an experience it would be to work for him directly.)
For these golden nuggets and a lot more, please listen to this episode of Glambition Radio by clicking the play button below. And if you want to hear my most recent episodes head over to iTunes to listen or subscribe for automatic updates.
Love and success,
