If you are in sales, you have probably heard the phrase: Always Be Closing, or ABC! But if you walk through life trying to ‘close’ every person you meet, you are likely to miss far more valuable things. In today’s solo episode of Leadership Blueprints, BJ offers a new version of this phrase and inspiring listeners to place their focus on more important things such as relationships, generosity, curiosity, and service. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what it means to collect dots and why it’s essential. BJ delves into why showing up in the world with a spirit of curiosity and service is so valuable before he encourages listeners to consider the last time they helped someone who had nothing to offer them. He also talks about ‘collecting dots’ intentionally without forcing connections and enlightens listeners on when dots actually start to connect. Finally, BJ leaves us with his ABCD challenge. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The phrase Always Be Closing (ABC) and why it could be problematic.
• Why BJ prefers the ABCD (Always Be Collecting Dots) term.
• The importance of walking through life trying to be genuinely helpful to people.
• A breakdown of what a ‘dot’ represents in this scenario.
• BJ challenges listeners to question when they last helped someone with no agenda.
• Why you should ‘collect dots’ with intention without forcing connections.
• When dots start to connect: when opportunity meets capability and trust.
• BJ breaks down this week’s ABCD challenge for listeners.

Quotes:

“Always be collecting dots because you can’t connect dots if you haven’t collected dots.” — BJ Kraemer [0:01:44]

“You want to be intentional, but you don’t want to keep score, and I think there’s a balance there.” — BJ Kraemer [0:14:12]

“There’s no contradiction between setting goals and being open to the unexpected.” — BJ Kraemer [0:14:35]

“Dots connect when opportunity meets capability and trust.” — BJ Kraemer [0:17:12]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Leadership Blueprints Podcast

Leadership Blueprints Podcast on YouTube

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn