Their influence will give you direction and help you make things happen more quickly. Don't wait for a crisis before beginning to build mutually dependable relationships. Join a country club, do political or social-action volunteer work, and get involved in your trade or professional association, making sure to seek out those participants who can help you and vice versa. Get to know people on a first name basis. Take care of those you depend on.
Variety is as important as visibility.
If your genuine enthusiasms are varied, your business associates will tend to view you as well rounded. Of course, you won't spend equal amounts of time with each member of your network. But it is essential to treat everyone in your portfolio as an equal, regardless of his or her position. Be neither overly deferential to your superiors nor overbearing with subordinates. You never know may be in a position to help or thwart you in the future.