Arielle Loren

I read an interesting article yesterday on Tiffany Black’s blog “I’m an Actor, They Don’t Get It.” Her post was entitled, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” and contrary to what most would expect, she took the “village” philosophy and applied it not to children, but to her career and personal life. What is the difference between networking and team building? She dissected this question with the following:

There is a difference between “networking” and “team-building.” Your team consists of the people who genuinely have your best interest at heart and happen to be doing the type of things you are involved in that could help you both get ahead. What are they doing? Are they progressive? Making things happen? Trustworthy? Credible? Well-informed? Determined? Are they the type of people you work towards becoming? If you’re shaking your head yes, Those are the folks you want in your village. Facebook might be a great networking tool, but chances are.. your team has your phone number.

Hmmm, I never thought about it like that. As someone who considers herself a member of the  born-digital and always looking for new connections through various mediums, I sat back and thought, “Arielle, who is really on your team? Or rather, who do you NEED on your team?” I realized that it goes back to my entire philosophy on friends. I have a lot of “friends” and relationships with people that I share a common interest with. However, I can count the people who are closest to me with my five fingers, family included. My bestfriend and I always have this conversation. Once, she told me this story that sticks with me to this day.

When she was living in Italy, she used to visit a local bar owned by an old Italian man. One night, they got into a deep conversation about life, passion, loyalty, and friendship. The man said to her, “In life you should be able to count the people closest to you on one hand, other wise you are not on “purpose”: you’re not focused and attentive to the people who are truly loyal to you.”

I took that with me and carry it when I encounter all the amazing people that God has put in my path. However, I don’t feel the need to have a lot of close friends, even though I cherish those relationships. I like having a small core, it makes me feel more focused. I know that my “five” are my team. At the end of the day, they are probably the ones that are going to assist in moving my career and passions to the next level. THEY are loyal to me, without question. They have passed numerous tests and they have stuck around through my struggles.  Not only have they stood by me, but at times they put me on their backs and carried me. They created my definition of loyalty and anyone that I admit into my 5 circle, have to prove that they are reflective of that spirit. Each of my five represent my diverse passions. So while networking definitely helps, Ms. Black is right, your team is all that really matters.

A.L.