I am a formerly world class shy, introverted guy. It used to be that the suggestion that I spend time networking sounded like as much fun as clipping toenails in the Tiger section of the Minnesota Zoo. Mainly it sounded painful and I also did not get the point.

In 2004, having made a great deal of progress with my shyness, and having made by be grudging peace with the importance of networking, I learned the number one secret to life from listening to an interview the Charlie Rose did with then deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage. Rose asked Armitage what was the most important thing he learned while serving with retired Gen. and then Secretary of State Colin Powell's during their four years at the center of American foreign-policy. Armitage looked away, closed his eyes, and took a thoughtful moment to think about this question he appeared to have never considered before. Finally he answered: "the importance of personal relationships."

That experience triggered my study of networking. I have come to recognize that as absolutely fundamental to the survival of any social animal most particularly human beings.

Although I do not introduce the networking topic deliberately at a particular point of a coaching relationship, I promise you it will come up. Also it will include sharing with you my video clips of lions, cape buffalo, vampire bats, movie producers and football coaches.