Today, we are joined by Keith Ferrazzi.
Growing up in western Pennsylvania in the 1970s, Keith would hear his father talk about practices going on at the steel mill where he worked, his manager telling him to slow down because he was making the boss look bad as he was outworking his peers. His father eventually became unemployed. The steel industry crash was in full effect in Pittsburgh and across the Rust Belt. Meanwhile, Japanese factories were adopting practices to drive efficiencies and deliver higher-quality products. Watching his parents take any job available to make ends meet led to Keith’s mission of helping teams collaborate effectively to achieve exceptional results.
Following his graduation from Yale, Keith went to work for a manufacturing company that was utilizing practices such as Total Quality Management, created by academics to expect more from frontline teams. After graduating from Harvard Business School, Keith joined Deloitte, where he became the youngest person to be elected partner and the global CMO at lightning speed. This experience prompted him to write his first book, “Never Eat Alone,” a story of how to radically accelerate success through better relationship management. This was the beginning of his lifelong calling and research into what makes teams high-performing and successful. Keith committed to founding his own research institute and coaching firm to inquire into and explore the practices of teamship. Today, he makes it his mission to evangelize that the world’s best teams don’t win because of leadership alone. They win largely because of their teamship.
In this conversation, Keith shares the core principles that made him one of the world's most respected voices on professional relationships. He reveals personal stories from his journey and provides practical frameworks for building meaningful connections that go beyond traditional networking approaches.
Key topics include:
Generosity as the foundation of networking
“Build before you need it” and Relationship Action Planning
Isolation—not talent—as the biggest career blocker
Authentic networking strategies for introverts
“Never Eat Alone” and everyday opportunities
Balancing prep with authentic interactions
Relationship scoring and smart follow-up
Building brand through thought leadership
How digital tools reshape networking
Whether you're looking to expand your professional network, overcome networking anxiety, or transform your approach to career advancement, Keith's insights provide a practical roadmap for authentic relationship building that creates lasting value for everyone involved.
Keith Ferrazzi's Book: “Never Eat Alone” https://www.amazon.com/Never-Eat-Alone-Expanded-Updated-ebook/dp/B00H6JBFOS?
Keith's Website: https://www.keithferrazzi.com/
Keith’s Online Community: https://www.connectedsuccess.com/
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Website and live online programs: http://ims-online.com
Blog: https://blog.ims-online.com/
Podcast: https://ims-online.com/podcasts/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesgood/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charlesgood99
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:00) Tool: Keith's Journey from Steelworker's Son to Business Success
(03:00) Technique: Generosity as the Currency of Authentic Networking
(06:00) Tip: The "Build Before You Need It" Principle and Relationship Action Planning
(08:00) Tool: Overcoming Networking Awkwardness with Systematic Processes
(10:00) Technique: The "Never Eat Alone" Philosophy in Practice
(12:00) Tip: Strategic Preparation vs. Authentic Connection Balance
(15:00) Tool: The Relationship Quality Scoring System (0-5)
(17:00) Technique: Follow-Up Strategies and Personal CRM Systems
(19:00) Tip: Building Personal Brand Through Thought Leadership
(20:00) Tool: Digital Age Networking and Modern Relationship Building
(21:03) Conclusion
#CharlesGood #KeithFerrazzi #TheGoodLeadershipPodcast #NeverEatAlone #AuthenticNetworking #RelationshipBuilding #GenerosityFirst