Developing Networks

When everything is going well, it's easy to attract people who want to join in and contribute to the good things you're building. In times of crisis, on the other hand, a person can feel isolated. The person going through a crisis may hesitate to share their struggles because of shame, or those whom he considers a friend may want to build some distance, because they don't want to be drawn into the scandal.

We grow stronger when we anticipate this reality. Support can waver during a crisis, leaving a person to face the storm alone. Resilience begins when you gather the strength to rebuild—restoring confidence to reach out and create new support systems.

I learned this lesson while reading about world leaders while I was locked in solitary confinement, facing life in prison. The stories I read during  taught me the critical importance of building strong support networks as I prepared to face decades in prison. 

Building meaningful connections requires effort, and it requires a person to make intentional choices. The rewards can last a lifetime. A supportive network can accelerate growth and provide clarity on your path forward. Relationships with mentors, family, and allies offer guidance and open doors to opportunities you might not reach alone. By intentionally nurturing these connections, we gain insights that strengthen our ability to navigate challenges and make better decisions. 

This principle was instrumental throughout my journey in prison. Surrounding myself with positive people not only gave me strength but also ensured I had advocates to support me at pivotal moments. Their encouragement and belief in me were invaluable, influencing many of the decisions I made while serving my sentence. 

At the same time, I realized the importance of safeguarding my progress. I made a conscious effort to avoid trouble, knowing that any misstep could jeopardize the support I had worked so hard to build. Focusing on consistent growth gave me both a purpose to strive for and something worth protecting. 

Ultimately, building and maintaining a strong support system proved to be a cornerstone of my resilience. It’s a practice that requires dedication, but its impact can be life-changing—helping us face challenges, rebuild confidence, and create new opportunities for growth..

Building a Positive Network

To build a positive network, you have to take the initiative and reach out. In Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Term, I shared how I actively sought connections with people who could influence my journey. While my family—my sisters and parents—always supported me, I knew it was my responsibility to expand my network beyond them. One example of this effort was reaching out to Stuart Eskenazi, a journalist covering my trial in the Seattle area back in 1987.

After the jury convicted me on all counts, I had to confront the reality of my poor decisions. Reflecting on my choices, I identified three critical mistakes: 

1. My first bad decision was selling cocaine. 
2. My second mistake was denying my involvement and proceeding to trial. 
3. My third and most damaging error was committing perjury on the witness stand by denying any role in drug trafficking. 

Once I was back in solitary confinement after the verdict, I began reading books that reshaped my perspective. These books sparked a commitment to change and inspired a plan to reconcile with society during my time in prison. To mark this turning point, I decided to reach out to Stuart. I invited him to visit me in jail, where he interviewed me. During our conversation, I openly admitted to my mistakes—choices that could never be undone—but I also made a solemn promise to use my time behind bars to make amends and work toward redemption. 

Stuart’s subsequent interview resulted in a front-page story titled, "Drug Kingpin Pledges to Change His Life." At the time, the article didn’t garner much attention. However, two decades later, I reached out to Stuart again. I reminded him of the promises I had made following my conviction and shared everything I had achieved during my imprisonment. This led to a follow-up story. Rather than covering what I intended to do, he wrote about all that I had done. 

That second story sparked an interest in my journey of redemption, which helped to expand the support network I'd been working to build. By taking ownership of my past and demonstrating meaningful change, I turned a story of failure into one of hope and transformation.

To build a strong support network, be deliberate. Develop a strategy to exchange value and learn from others. Start by identifying people whose experiences align with your goals. Then, engage them with thoughtful questions or contributions. Finally, maintain the relationship through consistent follow-up. 

Publishing updates on a profile at PrisonProfessorsTalent.com memorializes these efforts. Your profile should showcase your network-building skills, which will attract more support from those who recognize intentional progress.

I still invest in networks today. After release in 2013, connections from mentors evolved into collaborations that led to business opportunities, income, and helped me grow our nonprofit, Prison Professors, which focuses on impact and helping others. We provide free resources to empower others. Recently, I've connected with AI experts to enhance our courses. This ties into my commitment to learning, ensuring efficiency in content creation and investments.

Networks Shaped My Path

Throughout my sentence, I focused on building positive networks. By building a record of accomplishment, and documenting the journey, I could more easily find mentors to come into my life. They became advocates for me, opening doors and intervening when I faced problems from the system. 

One key, early connection was Dr. Bruce McPherson, a professor from Chicago. I wrote to introduce myself after I learned from him. He taught me a great deal about self-directed learning. Bruce visited me in prison, and through our correspondence, he helped me develop writing skills that I still rely on today. 

Networks provided leverage. They showed me how relationships compound over time. To build your support network, consider these teachable points in a step-by-step approach:

1. Identify Potential Allies: List people whose expertise aligns with your goals, like educators for learning or professionals for career advice. Research them through books or articles to start meaningfully.
2. Reach Out Thoughtfully: Craft messages that show value—share a lesson you've learned and ask a specific question. This demonstrates intentionality and invites dialogue.
3. Nurture the Connection: Follow up with gratitude and updates on how their advice helped. Consistency turns one-time exchanges into lasting relationships.
4. Document Interactions: Log key conversations and outcomes in journals or profiles. This creates a record of growth that attracts more supporters.
5. Give Back: Contribute to their work, like offering feedback or sharing resources. Reciprocity strengthens bonds and opens unexpected opportunities.

These points come from my experiences. I encourage our readers to make intentional decisions and develop relationships with people who can become mentors, or advance prospects for success.

Regardless of challenges, building networks today leads to brighter outcomes tomorrow. For that reason, we encourage every member of our community to become active, and to develop a profile that will help others see you as a viable candidate for support. 

• What connection will you pursue next? 

Memorialize your journey by building and developing your profile on PrisonProfessorsTalent.com. Show others how to do the same and build your circle of influence. Use your journal to describe all the steps you’re taking. We built that platform to help people who want to help themselves. If you want to help yourself, I encourage you to use it every day—just as I do.

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