The Game Changing Attorney Podcast with Michael Mogill 74. Paul Faust — No Zero Days
"The right thing to do is always the right thing. The people who do that — there's a reason those are the successful guys." - Paul Faust
- How do you network best at conferences?
- Why does Paul think voice communication is never going away?
- What is a “no zero” day?
- How can being a part of your community distinguish your practice?
- How did Paul end up playing a character on “The Office”?
Connection is Key
Paul Faust is the king of custom phone numbers, but he's not just that. He’s a catalyst in the legal industry, connecting attorneys nationally, giving counsel to newcomers, and sharing a wealth of materials. Paul knows who’s going to which conference, who has a good client packet, and which mass torts need lawyers. He’s got a big Rolodex and he’s not afraid to use it. And whether you’re his client or not, nothing makes Paul happier than finding a way to help you out.
Paul started college with no understanding of what he wanted to do — but he knew what he liked and what he was good at: connecting with people. Through an unexpected meeting at a softball game, Paul went into the communications business with his partner Greg Hammerschlag. Together they started RingBoost, which allowed him to focus on his strengths: working with people. As he says, “It's not about phone numbers. It's about human connection. My tool just happens to be your number.”
A Helping Hand Goes a Long Way
Paul helps people even if they aren't clients and never will be. Being helpful develops trust so that if a lawyer ever does need his services, they already have a relationship. But more than that, Paul sees it as the right thing to do. “At the end of the day, it will come around,” he believes. “People will know that you're not just trying to sell them. You actually believe in what you're doing and that it's the right thing.”
From noting ideas on the back of a "barf bag" to attending conferences worldwide, Paul idolizes helping others through the tool of "human connection."
The Unconventional is the Future
Paul breaks away from convention and thinks outside the box. As he puts it: "I think too many people don't get that by getting out of your regular inbox you see a lot of things you would not normally see."
As Paul mentions, he didn't "plan everything," which allowed him to keep an open mind and explore different avenues, such as the one that got him where he is today. Paul reinforces the principle of speaking to "everybody," insisting that "you have no idea where your life's going to take you."
With the rise in technological advances, Paul still believes in staying connected. While he is most certainly intrigued by the evolution of technology, he feels as though human contact will always be more significant.
Key takeaways:
- Talk to everybody. You never know what a relationship could bring.
- Be a resource. Helping people will come back to help you.
- Your grind may look different. Don’t just hustle to hustle. Do what works for your business.
Links and Resources