What’s In It For Them?

How To Deal With The Problem Of Personal And Professional Disconnection

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Joe Polish, a leading entrepreneur and author of What’s In It For Them?, built his success after overcoming addiction and a failing carpet-cleaning business that left him $30,000 in debt. Despite his struggles, Polish remained curious and focused on how to be useful to others. Today, as the founder of Genius Network and Genius Recovery, he helps others succeed by prioritising meaningful relationships and creating value. At a recent industry conference, Polish shared powerful strategies for overcoming personal and professional disconnection – an issue that can undermine business performance and personal fulfillment.

Caring Vs. Commitment

Success, whether in relationships or business, comes from consistent actions that reflect true commitment. You might care deeply about your family, but are you prioritizing quality time with them? You care about your health, but are your habits – like staying up late or overindulging – aligning with that care? “I care about a lot of stuff, but your actions show what you’re committed to,” Polish explains.

Give More Than You Take

People are naturally drawn to givers rather than takers. Polish emphasises that generosity creates trust and goodwill, which ultimately leads to stronger relationships, a better business and a more fulfilling life. “If you want to connect with people, focus on how you can help them, not on what you can get from them,” he says. “Ask yourself, how can I be a giver instead of a taker?”

Address Pain Points

The best way to connect with someone, Polish says, is to identify where they are struggling and offer help. “I have done more to bond and connect with people through pain than any other thing… I want to relieve pain, and that’s how I can build some great rapport with so many people,” he says. In business, solving your customers’ pain points isn’t just good service – it’s the key to earning their trust and opening the door to meaningful opportunities.

Break Isolation With Trusted Networks

“Silent battles are the hardest battles to fight. You’re as sick as your secrets, and if you don’t disclose to trusted people who care about what’s going on…you won’t get better,” he states. Polish emphasises that sharing challenges with a support system is essential to moving forward. This could mean leaning on Mastermind groups, trusted peers or collaborative communities, where fresh perspectives and actionable insights can help you tackle frustrating challenges.

Answer The Question “What’s In It For Them?”

Polish believes that the secret to meaningful relationships is focusing on how you can create value for others. “I look at what’s in it for them, and I have found that to get what I want, I help other people get what they want,” he says. For business owners, it means putting clients and partners first, ensuring every interaction leaves a positive impact. As Polish puts it, “There’s no limit to what you can accomplish or the peace and joy you can find in your own existence” when you focus on helping others.