Roberto Goizueta understood politics. Not only did he constantly go out of his way to communicate regularly with the legendary Chairman of Coca-Cola, Robert Woodruff, but also constantly sent letters and kept in contact with an influential network of business leaders. After a meeting with some important Coca-Cola bottlers, he sent porcelain boxes from Tiffany & Company to the men’s wives to thank them for their sacrifice to the company.
This sort of effort is far more enjoyable if you do, actually, enjoy being with people and speaking to them on a personal level. Even if it's a struggle for you, the dividends can be enormous later in your life or career. You never know who is going to rise to a position of power, nor the consequences of unnecessarily alienating someone who otherwise could have been a strategic ally for you and your family.
