A party for the ages

Note from Keith: Just wanted to let you know that here on the NeverEatAlone blog you'll start seeing posts from more people than just me. I'm asking my Ferrazzi Greenlight team, friends, and special guests contribute their own great stories, advice, and questions about building relationships for success. The more the merrier, right, so it should be awesome! The entry below is from Ian Ybarra, who for over a year now has helped me with my writing, including the editing of Never Eat Alone.

When my friend Gabe Rosen told me about the party he was throwing to celebrate his 23rd birthday, he was a little shocked at my response. Most of his other young friends grimaced when they learned that invitations had gone to as many people over age 50 as under 25. They wondered aloud if the party might be awkward. But I told Gabe I thought it would be great -- especially for his career. After all, if you're just out of college, what better way to jumpstart your career (and your life!) than to strengthen your relationships with people who have much more experience than you.  

I was eager to hear the party results. Here's Gabe's report.

It was a major success. In fact, I want to make it an annual institution. Everyone seemed to really dig the chance to meet people from many different ages and backgrounds, and I had no difficulty getting like-minded people together, connecting on a very non-trivial level. At one point there was a spirited discussion involving my 62-year-old uncle, a 34-year-old law student, a 23-year-old rap artist, and a recent high school graduate. Elsewhere, two college sophomores consulted with a 72-year-old on the secret to making great chocolate cake. The evening was many things, but awkward was not one of them.

When you're taking Keith's advice to blend, not balance, try going beyond mixing business contacts and personal friends. Mix up the ages of your guests, too.