"One of the greatest paradoxes is how you can get ahead by helping others. It's a paradox because if you seek to help others primarily to get a certain advantage, you will come across as fake, utilitarian and manipulative. However, if you can forget about your own advantage and look for ways to contribute, help others, and be a source of value, your own personal brand will benefit, and people will refer you, recommend you, and keep you in mind. This isn't a mystic nostrum, it's sheer pragmatism. In a world in which we are bombarded with sales pitches and everyone seems to want a piece of our action, when we run into genuine service, and true support, we are overjoyed. And that joy converts into advocacy, expressed enthusiasm, and in the client realm, loyal repeat business. Decide you're going to help others win. Do so and you'll be astonished at the support, collaboration and back-up you receive. You'll find that inevitably leaders most significantly achieve their goals by helping others achieve theirs."

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