10K HP Step 5: Build Your Alliance (Network)

Now that we have determined the Game we are playing, what our Stats and Roles are, and the Skills we have and need to acquire, it’s time to look for Allies. Allies are generally people who are playing the same Life Game as you are (similar passion or goals), but have complementary Roles and Skills to you. They could also be people who happen to share the same Quests (Step 6) as you at any given moment.

Understanding the significance of alliances becomes crucial as we navigate the labyrinth of life’s challenges and opportunities. In the realm of personal and professional development, especially in the pursuit of the 10K HP Life, building a network of allies is not just beneficial – it’s essential. In this exploration, we’ll see how to identify, cultivate, and leverage these relationships to propel your journey forward.

Understanding the Essence of Alliances

The concept of alliances goes beyond mere networking. It’s about finding those who not only share your passion and goals but also complement your skills and roles. These allies are the co-pilots in your life game, contributing to your quests and milestones. The importance of such relationships in achieving success cannot be overstated. It’s a symbiosis where combined efforts lead to greater achievements.

Collaboration amplifies our individual capabilities. The adage “no man is an island” holds especially true in today’s interconnected world. History is replete with examples of remarkable achievements that were the result of collaborative efforts, not solitary endeavors. Being well-connected equates to being resourceful. In a web of allies, opportunities, and resources circulate more freely, often landing in the hands of those best equipped to utilize them.

The journey to the top is more fulfilling when shared with others. It’s about building relationships that enrich our personal and professional lives. Below are a variety of Allies and Ally Entities that are relevant to your 10K Life Game:

Types of Allies in the 10K HP Life Game

Factions

Factions are large, diverse groups unified by a shared belief or identity, such as religion, cultural heritage, or alma mater. Unlike organized groups, factions are defined by shared beliefs or history, making it impractical for members, including leaders, to know everyone personally. This anonymity doesn’t diminish the inherent bond between faction members; encountering a fellow member often sparks an immediate connection and a willingness to assist each other.

Personal experiences highlight this dynamic. For instance, converting to Christianity introduced the author to a global community that provides multifaceted support. Similarly, connections formed through educational institutions like UCLA or membership in organizations like Delta Sigma Pi foster a sense of obligation to assist fellow members. This intrinsic urge to help is evident even when members haven’t met before, such as alumni from different years.

Factions also form around interests or beliefs, like gamification, the Octalysis Framework, or fans of public figures like Elon Musk. These factions, comprising individuals who often don’t know each other personally, are united by shared enthusiasm or beliefs. The bonds within these factions can be strong, with members feeling an instant rapport upon meeting.

Unlike guilds, which are organized subsets within factions with coordinated objectives, factions are generally less structured. They often use digital platforms for communication, allowing members to connect and collaborate. Active participation in these channels can lead to recognition within the faction and potentially leadership roles.

The power of factions lies in the relatedness members feel towards each other. This sense of connection, or Relatedness (Core Drive 5 in the Octalysis Framework), enhances the likelihood of mutual assistance. The experience of the author with the USC Alumni Network, known for its proactive support, contrasts with the more passive supportiveness of UCLA’s network, underscoring the varied nature of faction supportiveness.

Guilds

Guilds are structured organizations varying in size, where members work collectively towards a shared mission under an organized hierarchy. This hierarchy might be flat or decentralized, but it exists to facilitate decision-making and goal achievement.

Guilds encompass a range of entities, including companies, educational institutions, chapters of organizations, and membership clubs. For instance, within the Christian faction, a local church or a Christian Leadership Organization can be considered a guild. As a student at UCLA, one becomes part of the UCLA Guild, operating under the university’s authority to achieve educational goals. Upon graduation, one transitions from the guild to the broader UCLA Faction.

In many guilds, it is possible for leaders can know each member and their contributions towards the guild’s goals. For instance, Octalysis Prime, an educational platform, acts as a guild for enthusiasts of the Octalysis Framework and Gamification. Here, members coordinate missions and quests, and the leadership team keeps track of each member’s progress and growth.

In the corporate world, companies like Google represent powerful guilds, characterized by a selective recruitment process and a strong emphasis on cultural fit. Similarly, smaller companies like The Octalysis Group foster a familial atmosphere where members engage in activities like touring, book clubs, and creative celebrations.

Most guilds utilize communication channels like Facebook Groups, Slack, WhatsApp, and Discord for member interaction and coordination by guild leaders. When a guild grows significantly, it can evolve into a faction, potentially igniting broader movements or changes in the world. This transformative potential highlights the guild’s role as a fundamental organizing unit within society.

Teams

Teams are small, close-knit groups focused on achieving specific, immediate missions or quests. Distinct from larger factions or guilds, team members know each other intimately and understand how to work together effectively. Teams are commonly found in various settings, including company units, startups, local sports teams, or hobby clubs.

In a similar vein to a gaming guild, where a leader assigns members to complete dungeons and raids, a team collaborates closely to attain immediate objectives. These teams are often composed of individuals with complementary skills, mirroring roles like Tanks, Damage dealers, and Healers in games. For example, a team might include someone with strong communication skills, another with analytical prowess, and others with expertise in marketing, engineering, or specialized areas like childhood development or custom candy making.

The formation of teams is also influenced by their duration. Long-term teams, such as those in a company, are established for extended collaboration and require careful planning and consideration of member contribution and team chemistry. Short-term teams, like those formed for a single performance or project, focus more on the immediate outcome and disband after the task is completed.

In the context of The Octalysis Group, a leading entity in the Octalysis faction, there are both Core Team Members engaged in continuous guild improvement and the Octalysis Contractor Network, assembled for revenue-generating projects. The former represents a long-term team, invested in team-building and innovation, while the latter forms short-term teams for specific client projects, often changing composition.

Partners

A partnership refers to a close bond between one or two individuals, formed to achieve a long-term mission. This could involve significant others, co-founders, business partners, or research partners. Famous examples include duos like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and Batman and Robin. Unlike teams, partnerships are typically smaller, often lasting for decades, and are essential due to their intimate nature and mutual reliance over numerous quests.

Trust and chemistry are crucial in partnerships. Trust comes in two forms: Character Trust and Ability Trust. Character Trust relates to believing in a person’s intentions and good faith, while Ability Trust pertains to trusting their skills and capabilities. For instance, you might trust a family member’s intentions but not their ability to perform a highly skilled task like piloting a plane.

It’s important to recognize that Ability Trust must be earned through hard work, self-improvement, and demonstrated results. A common misunderstanding occurs when individuals expect trust in their abilities based on personal relationships rather than proven competence.

Ideally, successful partnerships are formed with individuals who possess both Character and Ability Trust. This combination ensures reliability through integrity and skillful execution. If either form of trust is lacking, forming a strong, effective partnership becomes challenging. Additionally, chemistry in a partnership enhances coordination and makes the collaborative process more enjoyable.

Other Alliance Types

In the context of the 10K HP Journey, the concept of Relationship Roles is expanded to many components one array included is: Mentorship. Having a mentor is more than just a beneficial relationship; it’s a transformative experience that can significantly shape your journey to mastery. A mentor not only imparts wisdom and experience but also assists in crucial areas such as identifying essential skills, introducing you to influential networks, and guiding you in choosing the right quests. This alignment with your Game and Role can profoundly impact your path, offering insights and guidance that are tailored to your unique journey.

The role of a mentor extends beyond mere advice. They are instrumental in helping you recognize your unique attributes and strengths, often overlooked by yourself. This external perspective is invaluable in leveraging your innate abilities effectively. In the grand game of life, a mentor is akin to a beacon of light, piercing through the fog of uncertainty and guiding you toward the pinnacle of mastery. Building strong alliances with the right mentors is not just a step but a strategic move in your 10,000-hour journey toward achieving excellence and success.

Mentorship represents just one facet of an expanded array of Alliance Relationships. This spectrum also encompasses roles such as Coaches, Agents, Patrons, Mentees, Sidekicks, and Staff. In a future update, I plan to develop more on the topic of other types of alliances, as there is a wealth of nuances yet to be explored in these diverse relationships.

How to Build an Alliance

How does one build an Alliance? Let me tell you my personal story on how I started.

During my freshman year at UCLA, I was inspired to start an online networking service for professionals after reading an article in The Daily Bruin about the importance of networking. My interest deepened after watching movies like “Mission Impossible” and “The Godfather,” where the characters utilized diverse networks of experts in critical situations. This made me realize the potential of every individual’s unique skills and connections, even those who might seem insignificant at first glance.

As a college freshman, I initially doubted my ability to contribute meaningfully to a professional network. However, I soon recognized that by connecting people to a wide range of professionals, I could amplify my value. This realization led me to establish my first public Guild in 2004, the FD Network (FD standing for “Future Delivery”), an online service where professionals could sign up to share their expertise, specialties, and hobbies to assist other members.

The FD Network had two main requirements for its members: to update their profiles annually and to respond kindly to any requests from fellow members, even if they couldn’t provide direct help. Unlike open professional platforms like LinkedIn, the FD Network was service-oriented and personalized. As the “FD Link,” I would personally connect members with the right resources and people who could assist them.

My efforts in creating the FD Network attracted a diverse array of professionals, from a Nuclear Propulsion Engineer to a Hollywood Actor. It was a significant step in forging my first professional alliance. A memorable moment for me was meeting a prominent game designer, a member of the FD Network, who was surprised and excited to meet “the FD Link” in person. This experience demonstrated the success of my networking efforts during my college years.

Although I eventually moved on from the FD Network to start a game platform for career-building, the connections I made through the network continue to influence my career and life. This experience has also driven me to consider restarting a similar service and has inspired me to share networking strategies in this blog as a guide for others looking to build powerful alliances. I’ve now coined this strategy:

“OP Networking”

Now that we have established the power of Building Your Alliances, let’s start exploring a Strategy Guide to expand on this step. The first thing we need to remember is OP Networking starts with the Self.

The 6 Power Attributes for OP Networking

In my journey, I’ve learned that effective networking, or what I coined “OP Networking,” is deeply rooted in self-development. It’s essential to be worth networking with, as true networking is a reciprocal process where both parties enrich each other’s lives. Contrary to the belief that networking skills are innate, I’ve realized that personal growth and development are within our control. With a positive attitude and the brain’s neuroplasticity, we can gradually adopt the necessary attributes for successful networking.

There are six Power Attributes essential for OP Networking in the 10K HP Journey:

1) Integrity
2) Sincerity
3) Optimism
4) Confidence
5) Initiative
6) Persistence

Integrity is the bedrock of a strong character and goes beyond mere ethical behavior; it’s about being a genuinely good person at the core. I’ve instilled this value in my twin daughters, teaching them that integrity shapes not just how others see you, but who you truly are. It’s about making the right choices even when no one is watching, ensuring that your actions align with your moral compass. People are naturally drawn to those who exude genuine integrity, as it breeds trust and respect.

Sincerity in networking is about genuinely caring for others, celebrating their successes, and empathizing with their struggles. This deep sense of caring fosters a strong bond of trust, laying the foundation for meaningful and lasting relationships. It’s not just about being nice; it’s about being real. When you’re sincere, your interactions are not transactional but transformational, creating connections that are both deep and enduring.

Optimism is a beacon in networking, shining through in how you perceive challenges and interact with others. It’s not just about being cheerful; it’s about maintaining a positive outlook that inspires and motivates those around you. Optimism helps to overcome the hurdles and rejections that are inevitable in networking, turning them into opportunities for growth and learning. An optimistic attitude is contagious, creating an environment where creativity and hope thrive.

Confidence is the silent communicator of your self-worth and capabilities. It’s not about boasting or feeling superior, but about having a grounded self-image and recognizing the inherent value in yourself and others. This form of confidence is magnetic, attracting others and teaching them how to view and interact with you. It’s a subtle yet powerful form of self-assurance that enhances your presence and impact in any networking situation.

Taking Initiative is about stepping out of comfort zones and proactively engaging with others. It involves overcoming the fear of rejection and understanding that reaching out, even if met with a negative response, is a step forward. I liken this to facing a ‘Harmless Dragon’ outside one’s comfort zone – intimidating but ultimately harmless. To learn more about the Harmless Dragon, I’ve made a video series about it on Octalysis Prime. You can find the entire OP Networking series and thousands of my video content there too.

Persistence is the steadfast commitment to continue striving, even in the face of challenges and delays. It requires a delicate balance between determination and respecting others’ boundaries. Persistence is understanding that not all responses will be immediate and that patience can often be as important as the effort itself. This attribute is about resilience and the unwavering belief in your goals, driving you to pursue connections and opportunities relentlessly, yet thoughtfully.

OP Networking goes beyond transactional relationships. It’s about building intrinsically rewarding connections, much like playing games with friends. This approach is grounded in the joy of interaction and mutual growth, rather than mere utility. As I navigate my 10K HP Journey, these principles of networking are not just strategies but pathways to forming genuine, lasting alliances. They are the cornerstone of building a network that’s not just wide but also deep and meaningful.

Conclusion: The Alliance as a Game Changer

Building alliances is a dynamic and ongoing process. It involves identifying the right people, engaging with them meaningfully, and nurturing these relationships over time. Remember, the alliances you form can be the game changers in your 10K HP journey, propelling you towards success in ways you might never have achieved alone. So, as you advance in your life game, keep an eye out for potential allies, and be ready to join forces with them in pursuit of your shared goals and dreams.