If you’re an entrepreneur or in business of any kind—and especially if you’re a good-hearted person who genuinely wants to provide value and treat others with respect—this episode is for you. I’m diving into something that’s not only crucial for you to hear but also hard to accept: being friendly doesn’t mean someone is your friend. Inspired by a lyric from the late Rich Mullins, I’ll unpack the painful truth that many good people learn the hard way—trusting the wrong people can devastate your business, your life, and the people you care about.

In business, you’ll meet countless friendly people, but the reality is that only a tiny fraction of them truly have your best interests at heart. Most people are driven by their own self-interest, and while that doesn’t make them terrible, it does mean you need to be cautious. I’ll share how to avoid the trap of mistaking friendliness for loyalty, the dangers of sharing your plans and vulnerabilities too soon, and why it’s critical to reserve your trust for those who’ve genuinely earned it. The hard truth? Your true inner circle will likely be no more than five people, even after years in business.

But this isn’t about becoming jaded or bitter—it’s about being smart. I’ll explain how to balance being friendly and approachable with guarding your trust and being strategic about who you let into your inner circle. Building meaningful, loyal relationships takes time and consistent proof of trustworthiness. Tune in to learn how to navigate the complexities of business relationships, protect yourself and your business, and thrive without losing your good-hearted nature.

Welcome to The Spinoso Podcast hosted by CEO, doctor, comic book geek, and car guy, Alex Spinoso. I help people and companies grow - especially in the medical business. While my experience and expertise is in scaling all types of medical businesses to 7, 8, 9-figures or more, I can be a mentor to anyone who wants to take ownership of their lives, become a better leader at home and at work, and overcome any obstacle that stands in their way.

(0:00) - Intro

(1:25) - The Importance of Understanding Friendliness in Business

(2:43) - The Reality of Business Relationships

(5:35) - Building a Loyal Inner Circle

(7:30) - Conclusion

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