Befriend as many great and talented people who are also willing to tolerate me and my friendship as possible.
Then stand close to them.
Mention their names in conversation often.
Make my connection to them as obvious to as many people as possible.
Enjoy the resulting increase in reputation and image.
My wife is the embodiment of this strategy. I am convinced that people who would not and should not like me are forced to reconsider upon learning who I married, and more importantly, who was willing to marry me.
