Cerebral Spy

I recently spent the afternoon sitting at a table of wealthy investors who wanted to understand foreign threats working against them. Greetings Everyday Spy, I recently spent the afternoon sitting at a table of wealthy investors who wanted to understand foreign threats working against them. I wasn’t the first ex-CIA spy they had talked to. At least two firms hosting former CIA intel officers had drafted proposals for physical and data security to these investors in the past few months. The investors knew they needed to boost security, but they didn’t know by how much and they didn’t know if they could trust the two firms competing for their business. They called me for two important reasons… First, I’m not in the security business. I’m not selling physical or data security services, so I have no competing interest in sharing my thoughts and insights with the investment group. Second, I am in the education business, which means I specialize in answering hard questions and asking new questions that you never thought to ask yourself. Our world glorifies physical objects, from people to pets and jewelry to weapons. But intel is not a physical game - it's a mental game. Yes we use cool tech, cool weapons, and do all kinds of cool physical sh!t. But the physical tools and tactics are secondary, because the mission is to remain covert. If you’ve ever seen James Bond in action, there is nothing covert about tuxedos, sport cars, guns and cocktail gowns. The private intel world is growing fast - and ex-intel types are trying to get corporations and the ultra-rich to understand their value and skills. As a result, they tell crazy stories, laugh loudly, drink heavily, and do a lot of back-slapping. But the truth is that executives and high net-worth people don’t like that. In fact, they immediately distrust it because it looks and feels like showmanship. And it is. If you want to show someone your value and skill, start by sharing your knowledge… teach them something new. Your game-winning score in high school, two-degrees of separation from a politician or celebrity, or fancy resume is irrelevant when trying to build trust with a potential client, customer, or employer. They may be temporarily interested or entertained, but it is mentally shallow. They will not remember you 2 minutes after you leave the room. Instead of talking about yourself, learn about them - find their problems, offer your perspective, and then brainstorm solutions with them. That makes you unforgettable because they count you as a member of their team. They see you as an ally and value-adding resource. Especially if you aren’t asking for money! Because everyone else is asking for money first instead of joining the team. You can use knowledge, insight, and fresh perspective instead of stories, jokes, and drinks to gain massive rapport. And that immediately puts you in a different category among people with real power and influence. It makes you one of them. Because their wealth and success didn’t come from their hands… it came from their mind. And now, they know that you put your mind above the physical world, too. Godspeed, #EverydaySpy P.S. - [Your life of adventure, meaning, and purpose is one click away. The Private Intel Pipeline is the most direct, simple, and easy route to a high-paying elite private intel career. Click here to start your new life.]( Follow @EverydaySpy on Social Media! [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Instagram]( Andrew Bustamante, Founder of EverydaySpy.com, is a former covert CIA Intelligence officer, decorated US Air Force Combat Veteran, and respected Fortune 500 senior advisor. Learn more from Andrew on his Podcast (The Everyday Espionage Podcast) and by following @EverydaySpy on your favorite social media platform. This email was sent to {EMAIL}. Don't want to receive these emails anymore? [Unsubscribe]( EverydaySpy, 411 Walnut St. #20309, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043