What do I have to do to earn and deserve the key relationships that are going to get me where I want to go?

Focus on being the best you can at what you want to do.

Stop teaching students that they are the best and the brightest.

Don't get stampeded by what people around you value. The task is to figure out what YOU value - and value highly enough to throw yourself into with unqualified passion.

Truly visionary and successful companies have discovered that there is no conflict between the pursuit of profit and having a pursuit beyond profit.

Success comes from doing what you enjoy. If you don't enjoy it, how can it be called success?

No one can manage you if you don't give them permission to do so. But if you are interested in accomplishing as much as you are capable of, then I believe there are good reasons to grant that permission.