For years, my mindset as an entrepreneur and real estate investor was fixed on a single question: “How can I get this done?” It’s a driving force that demands motivation, creativity, and the ability to push through challenges; and it certainly took me far.
But that question (the “How”) has a hidden limit. It restricts your success to your own knowledge, skills, and, most critically, your time.
The Paradigm Shift: From ‘How’ to ‘Who’
After reading Who Not How by Dan Sullivan, I realized I had been playing checkers, not chess. The breakthrough wasn’t in asking how to solve a problem, but in asking who already knows the solution or can execute the task better than I can.
The “how” limits you to your own capabilities; the “who” unlocks the perspectives, resources, and abilities of others.
The Michael Jordan Analogy
There is no better example of this principle than the career of Michael Jordan:
- 1984–1989 (The “How” Years): Jordan was undeniably the best player in basketball, possessing “godly abilities.” Yet, focusing on how he could score, he couldn’t win a championship on his own.
- 1991–1998 (The “Who” Years): The Chicago Bulls won six championships. Jordan’s brilliance was fully realized only when he became a true team player, surrounded by key additions like Scottie Pippen and guided by a genius coach, Phil Jackson.
Michael’s success was amplified by the “who’s” in his life—the people who provided the structure and collective ability that allowed the team to go beyond what he could achieve alone.
Your Next Move: Stop Limiting Yourself
The lesson here is profound: if you want to exponentially grow your business or your life, stop trying to do everything yourself. Start building your team, your circle, and your network.
- Instead of asking: “How can I learn to manage rental properties?”
- Ask: “Who can manage my rental properties perfectly?” (The Property Manager)
Embracing the “Who” mindset allows you to focus your time and attention on your highest-value activities, while delegating the rest to experts.
