Dig Your Well before You'RE Thirsty by Harvey Mackay (17-Nov-1997) Hardcover

by Harvey MacKay

Excellent Book

Genres: Business, Self Help, Nonfiction, Leadership, Personal Development, Buisness, Management

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Took me months to get through this book. I kept getting bored with it and couldn't stand to read another page. But I muscled through because so many people said it would be worth it.

Agree to disagree.

If I could sum up in one line what I took as this book's message, it would be this: "People exist to use and be used." The author describes people like currency... whoever has the most in his pocket wins!

Also, this book is horribly outdated. I am actually surprised it is still on the shelf in my business school. The contents are at least 20 years out of date. I'd bet the word Rolodex was used over 300 times, at least once per page. No only that, but the whole thing was basically one big #humblebrag by the author. I've never seen such ridiculous name dropping in all my life.

I understand the importance of networking, and I know that I need to improve (why else would I have picked up this book), but I have to believe there are better ways to get it done.

In closing, the funniest line from this book: "When a network member creates an electronic address, send an E-mail to establish that you're part of each other's electronic network." (Deeeeeep stuff man!)

[Alexander Gil · Rating 3 out of 5]

The titles of the chapters of this book are great! It is many years old now though.

[KnowledgeSpecter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version. It was an abridged version.

Even though the book came out during the late 90's, Harvey gave great advice. Everything is about relationships and it was emphasised in this book. I loved that Harvey had Muhammad Ali in the book among others and that passage ended with Muhammad Ali saying: ''service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth''.

I truly feel that a network should be more than just contacts to call upon when you need something. It should be about service and leaving the earth better than you found it. As the book's name you should dig your well before you're thirsty - prevention is better than cure, be proactive.

I wish I could've listened to the unabridged version but nonetheless I will take with me a new perspective on networking and business relationships.

key takeaways: nurture your relationships in the network through - gifting on holidays, going to dinner when you're in their city etc. , find out the true source of power and go there, keep your network seperate from the network your company offers you, a network is supposed to work like a link to get the ''job'' done as soon as possible, don't mistake old friendships for business relationships, never tell yourself no - always ask, six degrees of seperation - you never know who somebody can introduce you to, network is all about the long term - don't ask before you have given value

[Brian Matthews · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decided to read this book based off of the title. Written in 1997 and very outdated. I like the overall idea of the book: you should build your network by asking how you can help others, rather than asking how can others help you. Most common word in this book was rolodex, appearing on nearly every page. This book was very similar to "The Secret" that was required reading for a management class. It had nearly 100 chapters and at the end of each chapter was an aphorism. Not everyone needs to write a whole book and in this case I think the book could have been shortened to <100 pages. Instead it was 300 pages of yap. The author is clearly a great networker and tells a story of how he networked with a book wholesaler into getting 15,000 of his books ordered...

[Chris Petrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

worth reading and re reading again and again. career builder.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The examples are from the 90's, but the advice will last you a lifetime.

[Barry Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Subtitled “The Only Networking Book You’ll Never Need,” this book may overstate its position on the topic, but not by much. Mackay, the author of “Swim with the Sharks without Being Eaten Alive,” “Sharkproof” and “Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt” is a premier networker and a pretty good communicator. This book is full of stories, anecdotes, “Mackay’s Maxims” like “Getting through the fence to the top dog is easy, if you know the gatekeeper.” He combines solid advice and insights on what and what not to do, what information is critical to capture and whom to network with (just about everyone), even providing real life examples of the craft from such diverse premier networkers as Muhammad Ali, Billy Graham, Marilyn Nelson (she networked the Superbowl into Green Bay, Wisconsin in the dead of winter) and Stanley Marcus (of Neiman Marcus). Near the end of the book, Mackay provides a networking quiz (including multiple choice scenarios) to test your networking savvy. He closes with a touching tribute to the best networker he ever knew: his dad, Jack Mackay, as delivered by his rabbi at the memorial service, simply titled, “Ask Jack.”
Well worth reading (and studying), the book closes with this postscript from Harvey: “I hope your network can help you find a job or earn a promotion or close a sale or make a buck. But even if it never does, if your network can do what Jack Mackay’s did – if it can help you help someone who needs it – then you have the best network of all.”

[Devin Partlow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately you will need another networking book. The problem with networking books is you don't know if the book is actually any good or if the author just networked their way into a publisher and a wholesaler. I think it was the latter for this book.

Networking as a compliment is fine, but in this book networking is supplemental; as if to say there will be a deficiency unless you network [correctly], which I just don't believe is true.

[Elizabeth]

As recommended by the Introduction to Research Leadership module of the summer intersession course Your Research Career presented by the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions' Professional Development Office.

[Cecely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for learning how to build and maintain your network of friends and colleagues.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quality networking book offering time honored advice on how to care about other people.

“Networking is a lifetime of caring about other people”

The government won’t save you. Who will?

“You can make more friends in 2 months by being interested in people than in 2 years by trying to become interesting” - Dale Carnegie

Top tips:

1. Be relevant. Write down the time you had with someone and reference it on birthdays or holidays
2. Watch for community events
3. Observe changes via linkedin
4. Visit ppl when you’re in town
5. Call ppl when they’re down
6. Keep a list of high level people you want to meet

[Luis Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Swim with the Sharks is one of the most influential books I've read and though Dig Your Well isn't quite on that level, it's worth reading. So much of this is common sense, and sadly, not enough people have enough common sense.

Not Mackay's greatest work and a bit corny at times, but it's still full of little gems and the value of networking cannot be overemphasized. Good networking is really just another way of saying be a good friend and a good person to someone else. It's just the right thing to do.

Lots of references are outdated, as the book was written in the mid-90s, but the lessons are timeless.

[Traca Savadogo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every year. I've internalized many of the lessons here, but the thing that still stands out to me is building your network before you ever need it. An example is...do you have access to world class doctors? If you got sick, is your doctor average, or the best in his field? You may not need a cardiologist now, but could your network help you figure out who is the best in your city? And get you access? How about the best real estate agent? Virtual assistant? You need a team. What's the criteria for your team? And the better your network is, the better chance you'll have at making world-class connections when you need them.

[Candice Minks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the information presented in this book. I could have done without all the name dropping and attempts at clever anecdotes about this person or another. The author obviously practices what he preaches by his impressive network filled with impressive people, but to a point, some of the methods for building connections seemed a little “put on”. The chapter a page format was a bit much. The book for me was fine for what it is, but if I had to read it again, perhaps the audio version would serve me better.

[C.Elegans · Rating 1 out of 5]

Harvey MacKay mag bis heute in allen Gesellschaftsschichten gut ankommen. Das gönne ich ihm...wirklich...und nicht nur weil wir am gleichen Tag Geburtstag haben. Er scheint ein cleverer und sympathischer Kerl zu sein. Dieses Buch hat aber nichts mit der Bedeutung von Freundschaft oder menschlichen Beziehungen im Allgemeinen zu tun. Es geht lediglich um den ökonomischen Nutzen von Bekanntschaften. Der deutsche Titel ist damit maximal irreführend.
Zudem sind viele Tipps inzwischen überholt. Deshalb sollte man sich die Lektüre echt sparen.

[Stephen Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty by Harvey Mackay offers timeless advice on building meaningful connections, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships long before you need them. I recently saw a discussion on corrlinks where users shared how applying Mackay’s networking strategies helped them in both personal and professional growth. The book’s practical tips, like consistent follow-ups and genuine engagement, remain relevant for anyone looking to strengthen their network.

[Franklyn Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great networking book to keep in mind. Provides examples and situations where the author has used networking to save time and establish second hand connections (from one person to another). I've seen some of the reviews on Goodreads saying that this type of tactic is "stale" but I believe it still works the same way. Another good networking book is Never Eat Alone.

It deserves a re-listen because it's good to stay aware your connections.

[Mike Phung · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you think you understand your network, then think again or read this book! Like another book „swimming with the shark“, Harvey help you to see how important not just to have a network but to care it too!
If you do not love to care, and nor spend really time and effort with a lot of discipline, it not possible to have it’s profit!

Very interesting to read!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey MacKay makes the point that no matter how smart or talented you are , you can't do it alone. Reciprocity, interdependency and sharing are the keys to building your network. Using Harvey's message about building a network will help you build your business, get financial commitments for charities and help your community

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book on networking ever written. Who cares that it was written 20+ years ago and that some ideas appear out-of-date because technology moves so quickly? Insert the tech de jour where appropriate and understand the underlying point. If you will implement just 10% of what Harvey discusses, you will find enormous success in building your networks and your relationships within them.

[Gathua Muigai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Networking is not about getting into a room with strangers and asking each other "What do you do?", networking is about building relationships over time; a slow patient process of friendship building. This is such an easy book to read, and very helpful for those who want to enjoy success in life. After you work hard, add networking.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Short chapters that flow really well. Each chapter ends with a "MacKay's Maxim" -- one or two sentences that drive home that chapter's concept. He has some really good quote worthy sentences in the book as well.

[Parker Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a gift, started reading it more out of obligation than desire, but ended up reallllly enjoying it and gaining genuinely helpful insight! Highly recommend to anyone hoping to excel in their careers

[Jennie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only listened to the 1st hour of the audiobook. Unimpressed. Not wasting anymore times on this.

[Stephen Andert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Networking has never been more important than today and Harvey has a lot of great ideas that are not stale, even though this was written a few years ago.

[Hardeep Singh · Rating 1 out of 5]

where are the books to read ? it is not showing up anywhere....

[Phương Nguyễn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really a good book, teaching you so much stuff that you have to experience a lot before you could learn to acquaint with it. Wonderful.

[Jordan Grieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written more than 20 years ago, so much of the information is very practical today. Lots of invaluable advice on building and maintaining an effective network.

[Phuongvu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mối quan hệ thực sự vô cùng quan trọng.
Đừng chờ để xây dựng mối quan hệ.

[Trúc Nguyễn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cuốn sách này không phù hợp lắm với văn hoá tại việt nam nên không áp dụng được nhiều. Mạch cuốn sách không khiến mình muốn ngấu nghiến quyển sách