On this episode we talk to David Nour, one of the world's leading experts on strategic business relationships. David introduces us to the concept of "Curve Benders" which are business relationships that dramatically influence our growth and development from a linear path to an accelerated "J" curve. David discusses a 7 step process on how to meet your own "curve benders" as well as how to cultivate those relationships. We discuss the future of work and how adaptability and strategic business relationships are key to maintaining relevancy. David also helps us identify ways to quantify our current relationships in order measure how beneficial they are in taking our next best step as well as how to politely decline invitations to collaborate or meet. Born in Iran, David Nour immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager with $100, limited family ties and no fluency in English. He found that in Iran, as well as in other parts of the world, it's customary to build relationships before doing business, but in the U.S., the opposite is true. This led him to become fascinated with building strategic business relationships, and became the foundation of his first book. Nour is internationally recognized as the leading expert on strategic business relationships. The author of ten books, including best-sellers CO-CREATE (St. Martin’s Press) and Relationship Economics® (Wiley), as well as his newest book, Curve Benders (Wiley, April 27, 2021), Nour serves as a trusted advisor to global clients and coaches corporate leaders and rising entrepreneurs. He is an adjunct professor at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, was named to the Thinkers50 Radar Class 2021, and Global Gurus Top 30 Leadership Professionals lists. To connect with David Nour, check out his Nour Forum!