Sushen hadn’t been sleeping well. For weeks, his mind was
noisy. Everywhere he looked, people were chasing something. Some were obsessed
with money. Some were constantly learning — courses, books, podcasts. Others
lived on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, meetings, and coffee catch-ups, building
connections. Each group claimed they had the secret.
Finally, Sushen went to his mentor, Shakambhar.
“Sir,” he said, “everyone has a different opinion. Some say
knowledge is everything. Some say money solves all problems. Others say your
network defines your future. What really matters?”
Shakambhar smiled. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he
took Sushen out for a walk.
They stopped near a crowded café.
“Tell me what you see,” Shakambhar said. Sushen looked
around. “Business owners, delivery boys, customers, startup founders, office
workers.”
“Good,” Shakambhar said. “Now observe.”
They watched a wealthy man arguing with a shopkeeper over a
small issue. Despite his money, nothing moved.
Then they saw a highly educated man passionately explaining
something to strangers. People nodded — and walked away.
Finally, they noticed an ordinary-looking person greeting
people as he passed. Someone offered him coffee. Another introduced him to a
friend. A third invited him to sit.
Sushen said quietly, “That guy doesn’t look rich or
brilliant.”
Shakambhar replied, “Yet see how easily doors open for him.”
They walked back. Now Shakambhar spoke.
“Money is useful,” he said. “It buys comfort, tools, and
speed. But without understanding, it gets wasted. And without people, it has no
reach.”
“Knowledge is powerful,” he continued. “It improves
decisions and avoids mistakes. But knowledge sitting in your head creates
nothing. It only becomes valuable when shared, applied, and connected.”
Sushen listened closely.
“Network,” Shakambhar said, “is the highest leverage.”
Sushen looked surprised.
“With the right people around you,” Shakambhar explained,
“you gain access to opportunities, experience, capital, and perspective. You
move faster. You fall less. And when you do fall, you recover quicker.”
He paused.
“Knowledge creates value.
Network distributes value.
Money only accelerates it.”
Sushen nodded slowly.
“So network comes first?”
“Yes,” Shakambhar said. “But real network — not collecting
contacts. Relationships built on trust, contribution, and consistency.”
He leaned forward.
“People who struggle chase money.
Average performers chase knowledge.
Builders chase networks.”
Sushen finally understood.
It wasn’t about choosing one over the others. It was about
order. Build relationships first.
Grow your knowledge next. Money follows.
As Sushen thanked him, Shakambhar added:
“Never forget — success doesn’t come from what you know or
what you own. It comes from who walks with you.”
And the lesson stayed with Sushen long after.
