Twenty-six of the greatest lessons I was ever taught.

This is a chapter from The ABCs of Dan M. Wilson.

Every person you encounter is an expert in something. Be it construction work, singing, or even basket weaving…everyone has a talent. And while the exact area of expertise may be easily identified by their profession – such as an educator – the majority of talents possessed by people lie hidden from the human eye. It is because of this “mystery” that you should befriend many.

“Know as many people as possible because even the most powerful need help at some point.”

Now we’ve all heard of those people whose name is known far and wide such as actors, musicians or world leaders. These celebrities sometimes meet and greet hundreds if not thousands of admirers on a daily basis. This isn’t what I’m talking about in the realm of knowing people. I’m referring to actually having a friendship with an individual to the point where there is a sense of mutual respect.

Few people that I have encountered in nearly forty years on this planet knew – and had the respect of – as many people as my father. He was sought out by a great many people for any of a number of reasons. Over the years I fielded calls for him that came in from a vast array of people from a number of professions and nearly every walk of life. I remember once picking up the phone to find former Missouri Senator John Danforth asking to speak to him. Grandpa Dan was definitely known far and wide.

Now what amazed me the most though was it seemed that, no matter the situation, Dad knew someone that could give an answer he sought or provide a service he needed in any given situation. He was Google in human form. If someone needed to consult with an attorney on an issue, Dad called his buddy Dave Lodwick. If he needed a bookshelf built, he had friends that would do it for him. If you needed your car worked on, you were seven digits away from finding a solution. In every instance, the people that he would call were legitimately happy to be helping him out. It was as if the man was owed favors by everyone.

Know as many people as possible because even the most powerful need help at some point.

I remember being in awe at one particular point as a child when Dad made a phone call to help one of Teresa’s friends out. The friend was someone Dad hardly knew but since she was a friend of Teresa’s – and since Teresa had asked Dad for help – he selflessly sprung into action. While I can’t recall the exact cirumstances I remember it being something odd. Dad made all of two phone calls and then provided Teresa not only with the phone number of who her friend would need to call but also what they needed to tell the person at the other end of the line in order to solve the problem.

When I had a few minutes to myself with Dad later on that day, I jokingly asked him if he knew someone in every job on the planet. He laughed and then gave me the bit of advice being outlined in this chapter.

Dad played both roles during his life. He was both the person offering and seeking help. He had successfully formed friendships to a level with others in which they would often work together as a team to accomplish something – or to at least get the proper person involved that could help. I honestly believe that he could and would have made a phone call for one of his friends in order to help them. And to his character, he would have done it without expecting a thing in return. I think that this is why people were always more than willing to help him out whenever he came calling.

Over the course of my life I’ve not made nearly as many true, direct connections as Grandpa Dan had…nor could I ever. He had a charm and an infectious demeanor about him that just drew people in left and right. And how could someone resist that, you know?

I did learn one thing though that has helped tremendously: find and befriend someone like Grandpa Dan because they can prove to be an unending supply of answers and help in a time of need.

Just remember to be as helpful in return if you seek help from someone. Spend your life building up favors with the intention of never cashing them in. That way if you do need help from a friend, they’ll be more than willing to help.