Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Power Relationships summary
26 Irrefutable Laws for Building Extraordinary Relationships
23 mins
Brief summary
Power Relationships by Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas is a guide to building strong, long-lasting relationships that benefit both parties. The authors provide practical insights into how to communicate effectively, build trust, and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.
Topics
Table of Contents
Power Relationships
Summary of 9 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 9
Power relationships come from great conversations and being unafraid to ask.
If you’ve ever watched an awards show, you may have thought about who you would thank if you were up at the podium accepting an award for your work. The average successful person will say they’ve had around twelve to fifteen vital relationships in their careers. We can call these power relationships.
So how do you form them? Well, you can start by making sure you have great conversations.
Bill Jenkins has come to learn the power of great conversation. In his career as a financial advisor, he was used to giving clients PowerPoint presentations. But then one day, Jenkins was approached by an assistant to one of his clients, and she told him that her boss actually enjoyed his informal talks with Jenkins more than anything else. She also told Jenkins that his competitors were getting pretty aggressive in trying to woo his client away, and it would probably be in Jenkins’s best interests to have fewer slides and more meaningful conversations.
He took the advice and started having more conversations over lunch and coffee and, sure enough, he began to form a better idea of this client’s hopes and dreams than ever before. It not only led to him being in a better position to help his client – two years later, this client is one of the biggest revenue producers for Jenkins’s firm.
This brings us to another important aspect of forming power relationships: never be afraid to ask a question.
Years ago, one of the authors was helping to organize the annual Chamber of Commerce meeting in Alliance, Ohio. In an effort to raise the event’s profile, he came up with the idea of trying to book a legend of commerce, J.C. Penney, to be a guest speaker.
At first, he asked the manager of the local JC Penney store to help connect him, but he refused. Determined, the author decided to call Mr. Penney directly, and just like that he was soon talking to the man, telling him how much he enjoyed reading his autobiography. He then explained how honored the town would be if he would speak at their meeting.
Thanks to that initial heartfelt conversation, Mr. Penney not only accepted the offer but became his mentor and a lifelong friend.
Want to see all full key ideas from Power Relationships?
Key ideas in Power Relationships
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Power Relationships about?
Power Relationships (2013) takes a thorough look at the kind of transformative relationships that can come to define a career. These are the professional partnerships that enrich people’s lives and drive them to heights that may not have otherwise been possible. The authors show us how to establish, nurture and reap the rewards of power relationships. With this knowledge, you’ll attract more clients and sustain these connections for a lifetime of rewarding work.
Power Relationships Review
Power Relationships (2014) is a valuable resource for anyone looking to build strong connections and thrive in professional relationships. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers practical strategies and proven techniques for cultivating meaningful relationships that can lead to career success.
- Through compelling real-life stories and insightful examples, the book illustrates the power dynamics at play in different professional situations.
- With its thought-provoking analysis of interpersonal dynamics and actionable advice, this book keeps readers engaged and motivated throughout.
Best quote from Power Relationships
Each time you refuse to compromise your integrity, it gets stronger and more resilient.
—Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas
Who should read Power Relationships?
- Professionals looking for stronger client relations
- Anyone who’d like to expand their personal network
- Career-minded people looking for a professional boost
Categories with Power Relationships
Book summaries like Power Relationships
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Power Relationships FAQs
What is the main message of Power Relationships?
The main message of Power Relationships is the importance of building and nurturing strong relationships to achieve wealth and success.
How long does it take to read Power Relationships?
The reading time for Power Relationships varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Power Relationships a good book? Is it worth reading?
Power Relationships is worth reading for its valuable insights on building influential connections. It offers practical advice to navigate power dynamics effectively.
Who is the author of Power Relationships?
Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas are the authors of Power Relationships.
What to read after Power Relationships?
If you're wondering what to read next after Power Relationships, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Us by Terrence Real
- The Lost Art of Connecting by Susan McPherson
- Work Smarter Not Harder by The Blinkist Team
- 12 Rules For Life by Jordan B. Peterson
- Uncommon by Mark Divine
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
- The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- The ONE Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
- Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel
- Making Great Relationships by Rick Hanson