For the longest time as an entrepreneur and real estate investor, I always focused on how I could overcome obstacles. This mindset has certainly taken me far, and I’m not kidding when I say the biggest question I used to ask myself was, “How can I get this done?”
Honestly, it’s a great way to motivate yourself and push through challenges. Curiosity can take us to incredible places, and I believe that’s what separates many successful businesspeople from the pack.
However, after reading Who Not How by Dan Sullivan, I realized it’s not just about “how” but more about “who.”
Take Michael Jordan, for example. From 1984 to around 1989, there was no debate about who the best player in basketball was—Jordan had godly abilities, yet he couldn’t win a championship. But from 1991 to 1998, the Chicago Bulls won six championships, becoming one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
Michael’s brilliance was fully realized only when he became a team player, surrounded by key additions and guided by a genius coach.
This is a prime example of the power of the “who’s” in our lives—the people who provide perspectives, resources, and abilities that help us go beyond what we can achieve alone.
The “how” limits you to your own knowledge and capabilities; it requires you to engage your time and attention in every task. After reading this book, I realized I had been playing checkers, not chess.
