Welcome to the Age of Strategic Sidekicking
Let’s be real—not everyone is destined to be Thomas Edison. But guess what? Barnes still became rich by knowing Edison. In this chaotic, disrupted world, the smartest players aren’t just the ones inventing the lightbulb; they’re the ones standing next to those who do. If you can’t be the hero, be the one who knows the hero—because proximity to greatness is a power move in itself.
The Myth of the Lone Wolf
We’ve all been fed the myth of the lone genius, but history tells a different story:
- Thomas Edison? Brilliant, sure. But Edwin C. Barnes became a millionaire just by associating with him and proving his worth.
- Andrew Carnegie? Had a mastermind group of advisors, including Napoleon Hill, who learned from him and built a legacy.
- Henry Ford? Relied on people like Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone to exchange ideas and build an empire.
Behind every so-called “self-made” success is a network of extremely smart people who positioned themselves close enough to the action to thrive.
The Power of Being Close to the Fire
When you’re next to the hero, a few magical things happen:
- You Absorb Their Knowledge: Hanging around industry leaders, visionaries, or top performers means you pick up insider insights that no amount of business school can teach.
- Opportunities Come to You: When people look for the next best thing, they often look around the best thing first. That’s where you are.
- You Get Credibility By Association: Ever noticed how being a former McKinsey consultant or an ex-Google employee instantly boosts someone’s value? It’s because people assume proximity equals expertise.
Meme-Approved Strategies to Apply This in Real Life
- Become the Right Hand – Not every industry leader needs another competitor, but they do need a trusted strategist, manager, or advisor who makes their life easier.
- Example: Edwin Barnes didn’t try to outshine Edison. He became indispensable to him and built his fortune.
- Be the Connector – If you know how to introduce the right people to each other, you become indispensable.
- Example: Napoleon Hill used his access to Carnegie’s circle to write Think and Grow Rich, which is still a bestseller today.
- Leverage the Glow-Up Effect – Align yourself with rising stars before they blow up, and grow with them.
- Example: Investors who backed young Jeff Bezos? Billionaires now.
- Master the Art of Being Useful – Every hero needs someone who can do what they can’t. Find that gap and fill it.
- Example: If an entrepreneur lacks storytelling skills, become their brand strategist. If a CEO struggles with scaling operations, be their execution expert.
Business Application: Ride the Big Waves
In business, this concept translates to strategic partnerships and piggybacking on market leaders:
- Can’t build an electric vehicle empire? Supply key components to Tesla.
- Not the biggest software company? Become the go-to consultant for Microsoft’s ecosystem.
- Lacking industry experience? Get mentored by someone who’s been through it all and apply their playbook.
Final Thoughts: Proximity is Power
In a disrupted world where industries shift overnight, the key isn’t always to be the loudest, richest, or most talented person in the room. Sometimes, the smartest move is just being in the right room at the right time.
So if you can’t be the hero, be the one who knows the hero. Because even Barnes walked away with millions without ever inventing a thing.
Disclaimer:
This article is 90% serious advice and 10% unapologetic hustle philosophy. No actual inventors were harmed in the making of this strategy. If you attempt to attach yourself to a billionaire and it doesn’t work out, please don’t DM us for a refund. Just remember: strategic positioning and value creation are your real superpowers.
