Getting Along

I do not live in a Communist society or a third world thugocracy or an increadibly courupt place. However I have definitely seen the benefits of being able to establish relationships and shmooze. In life, work and especially large organizations I have difficulty properly emphasizing how much relationships can get you. From a guy at a gunshop who might give you a call when something that is your style comes in to being able to get supplies, speed something up or generally bend the rules a little bit. I'm not talking about ripping anyone off or cheating or anything like that. Just maybe you need approval from an agency that usually takes 4 months and you have 2 weeks. It is amazing how a few kind words and treating someone with dignity can get your stuff shuffled towards the top of the list. If you need something that a store has limited amounts of do you think the guy is going to sell it to someone who has a nice conversation with them regularly or a jerk? A smile can sure do a lot for you.

I also think that using some discretion is important. Even if you have a pretty solid connection with a guy sooner or later it will get burned out if you are always coming to them for a favor. I think of it like I can potentially get a certain amount of help/ favors/ whatever based upon my relationship with someone.  Thus I try to do this sparingly. Also you need to remember that it works both ways.

Helping people whenever you can. Even if you really don't want to and it hurts a bit, in addition to being the right thing to do for a buddy, ensures that when YOU ask for something you will likely get it.