• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Tune in on Dec. 11 at 1:05 p.m. ET for our last Future of Sports virtual summit of the year – Future of Sports: Marketing! Register Now

The Process Finale: Reaping the Harvest


By: Will Baggett, @W_Baggs

You reap what you sow. It’s Biblical.

Theory

In grade school, teachers emphasize the importance of the three R’s; those being reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. Unfortunately, you probably did not learn the fourth and arguably most important “R” until you began your professional career…relationships.

Your grade point average may have been foremost with the traditional R’s, but the minute you hoisted your graduation cap into the air, it immediately became supplemental data. Nevertheless, maintaining good relationships with your instructors probably did not hurt your chances of making the grades you sought. Thus, you have had a working knowledge of the power of relationships for quite some time. It just takes precedence now.

Think of relationships as fertile earth in which you plant seeds to make for rich harvests throughout your career. Anything intended for growth must be rooted in fertile ground; and your career ascension is no exception. So as your growth takes place above the surface, remain mindful of the intricate network of roots anchoring you from below. As in, the maturation of your career is likely attributed to your relationships running deeper and strengthening your foothold in your field.

Application

With each new acquaintance, you are making an impression in the soil of someone’s psyche. In doing so, you are inserting seeds specific to your professional acumen in hopes they will one day bear good fruit. Consistent with the preceding installments of The Process, these seeds are infused with your foundation, brand, and mentality. Merely planting the seeds, however, is only half the battle. Unless they are nurtured, these seeds will never sprout and naturally grow your network.

Further, if “your network is your net worth,” the underlying assumption is that there is a rich harvest to be garnered from growing your coalition of colleagues. With respect to net worth, or the resultant gains of one’s harvest, maybe the person who coined the term “green thumb” was thinking along these same lines. Make cents? Sorry, couldn’t resist.

At some point in your career, you have likely heard the following phrase in some form: “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know and who knows you.” Taking it a step further, it begs the question, who are you aligned with? Association breeds similarity, so if you align yourself with successful people, you will likely be the next.

By the same token, be mindful of the importance of building rapport with actual people as opposed to their job titles. Your relationships must be embedded in the hearts and minds of the people in your network. In this way, when one of them uproots for a new job, you will not be left behind in the vacated dirt plot of their former position. Similar to professional player trades and collegiate student-athlete transfers, the name on the front of the jersey may change, but the one on the back is carried from place to place. Don’t get left behind.

Be genuine in your efforts to cultivate mutually beneficial relationships because people perceive parasitic persons positioned to pounce on their prosperity. (I apologize if you read that aloud as you are likely wiping off your screen by now.) In other words, astute professionals are cognizant of relationships that have the potential to become one-sided.

That is not to say you are expected to be on equal footing with everyone you encounter, however. This would defeat the very purpose of networking. Nonetheless, you should at minimum bring developable assets to the table that will yield a mutual return for those who elect to invest their time and resources into your career. In other words, if you want to help others help you; don’t bring sunflower seeds to the potluck. Instead, sow seeds in your field that are destined to sprout and one day bear good fruit.

Once your career blossoms, the fruits of your labor will be ripe for the picking.

And so the harvest begins…

Thank you for your support of this four-part series. If you have missed any of the preceding installments, please give them a read. Feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback. And stay tuned, there is more to come.

Will Baggett

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Emmanuel Acho Set To Land Solo Show on Fox Sports

Rising star Emmanuel Acho is poised to land his own solo show at Fox Sports, say sources. He currently co-hosts FS1’s ‘Speak for Yourself.’
Sponsored

Varsity Partners Steps Up the Sponsorship Game with TBT Teams

TBT has thrived on innovation and forward thinking through its seven year existence —including being the first indoor U.S. sporting event to return to action during the pandemic with a 24 team bubble in Columbus,Ohio —brand sponsorships for teams was the next opportunity for growth.
Sponsored

Executive Roundtable: Putting Employees First

Best Employers in Sports, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Dolphins, remote work, diversity, inclusion, COVID-19, leadership, career development
Sponsored

Putting Fans At The Center of Your Data Strategy Post-COVID

The Portland Trail Blazers are one example of an organization offering a more personalized customer experience thanks to data.

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.
Sponsored

High Prices for High-Drama College Football Conference Championships

CFB’s new-look conferences—and title game matchups—are having a direct effect on demand for tickets.
Sponsored

Football’s Thanksgiving Day Ticket Feast

Several NFL and college football games on Thanksgiving and Black Friday are driving some eye-popping purchase prices.
Lane Kiffin
December 4, 2024

College Football Devolves Into Sniping As Playoff Bracket Nears

From Lane Kiffin to Jim Phillips, no one is holding back.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 20, 2024

Deion Sanders Downplays NFL Smoke As Former Cowboys Lobby for Him

The Colorado coach says “I’ve got a kickstand down” in Boulder.
Linda McMahon salutes Trump at the RNC
November 19, 2024

Trump Taps WWE’s Linda McMahon to Run Education Dept. He Promised to..

McMahon would have significant influence over women’s college sports. 
Sponsored

Star Power Sells: Mahomes-Allen Showdown, NBA Cup

NFL and NBA purchase prices continue to climb as marquee matchups and star-powered appearances dominate the spotlight this week.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.