Alex Hormozi approaches the concept of friendship beyond traditional definitions, from a strategic and pragmatic perspective. Known for his entrepreneurial identity, Hormozi also evaluates friendships from a success-oriented perspective, and his views on this subject are described by some as "extreme" or "transactional". However, Hormozi argues that this approach helps him establish healthier relationships on the way to achieving his goals.
The Definition and Spectrum of Friendship
Hormozi does not see friendship as a binary concept. According to his perspective, friendship should not be evaluated as "all or nothing", but on a spectrum. He says, "I do not see friendship as a binary term, in other words, it is not important whether we are friends or not, but how good friends we are." This approach emphasizes the depth and quality of relationships.
For Hormozi, the opposite of a friend is an enemy or rival. These people are the ones who don't work for you, try to undermine your successes, make you make emotional decisions, and distract you from your ultimate goals. A true friend is someone who works for your success and especially supports you behind your back.
Friendship Classification
Hormozi uses his own classification system to manage friendships. Accordingly, he divides friends into three categories: Comrade, Constituent, and Confidant. This classification provides a framework for understanding and acting accordingly in different relationship dynamics.
"Comrades" are people you are friends with simply because you have a common enemy. These types of relationships are usually tied to a specific situation or purpose and can be more superficial. Although he does not provide detailed information about his other categories, it is understood that his classification includes a strategic approach to relationship management.
Strategic Friendship Understanding
Hormozi admits that his views on friendship can be described as "transactional." He clearly states his approach as "the pros of this relationship should outweigh the cons." This perspective reflects the similar logic that an entrepreneur who is used to thinking strategically for success in the business world approaches his personal relationships with.
Value Exchange and Mutual Growth
For Hormozi, friendship is based on a mutual exchange of value. He sees every relationship as an investment; time and energy are invested and a positive return is expected in return. In his approach, the ideal friendship operates on the principle of "abundant exchange" - if both parties feel that they are benefiting from the relationship, then the relationship will continue in a healthy way.
"Strategic friendships are mutual relationships in which both friends benefit equally from the relationship. Strategic friendships provide perspective, companionship and input that helps you grow in different areas of your life." This definition forms the essence of Hormozi's understanding of friendship.
Friendship Red Lines
For Hormozi, the shortest way out of a friendship is to not support your successes. "You only have to do one thing to get a one-way ticket out of my friendship — not support me. That is, be jealous when I win, either explicitly or implicitly. If you're jealous of me winning, why are you here?" she says, clearly stating her stance on the subject.
A true friend is someone who works behind your back, openly and specifically, for your success. Hormozi emphasizes how difficult and valuable it is for friends to support you when your status starts to rise, especially in a competitive environment among men.
Alignment with Goals
For Hormozi, your friendships should be aligned with your long-term goals. "The question is: will they help me reach my long-term goal or not? If they're more likely to help me reach my goal, then they're paying rent for my time and attention." This approach makes particular sense in a lifestyle where time is limited and many people are competing for your every minute.
Changing Life Stages and Friendships
Hormozi states that one of the most difficult aspects of pursuing your dreams and goals is the fact that many people in your life right now will not support the future version of you that you need to be in order to achieve your goals. He points out that friendship dynamics can change on the journey of personal development, saying, "People don't actually want the best for you, they want the version of you that serves them best."
This perspective provides an important awareness, especially for fast-growing entrepreneurs or those making career changes. Hormozi states that this approach works on the way to reaching their own goals, and new friendship circles open up as they reach new levels of success.
Conclusion
Alex Hormozi’s approach to friendship offers a strategic and goal-oriented perspective that goes beyond traditional definitions. His views reflect the competitive nature of the modern business world and the challenges of the personal journey of success. For Hormozi, friendship is a relationship based on mutual value, support, and alignment with goals.
This approach may seem overly pragmatic or unemotional to some, but Hormozi presents it as a perspective that has been shaped by his own life circumstances and goals. In conclusion, Hormozi’s views on friendship can be evaluated as an approach that emphasizes the importance of clarity, mutual benefit, and strategic thinking in relationships.