We are on the road a lot in the NBA. Hotels are a part of life and at times seem like home. I am often reminded of my personal growth every time I walk in the front door of every hotel we stay in. At each stay we are met by a doorman and a bellman; both seemingly just doing what they do.

As I thought about what they do it dawned on me that we all have to find our own doormen and bellmen. The doorman opens doors for us and gets us started on our stay. He is our introduction to the hotel. He answers our questions; he guides us to where we want to go; he gets us help in the order of a cab; he simply provides us with what we need to accomplish what we want.

The bellman offers a different form of help but also an important one. He takes our baggage off of us and makes our walk to the room a little easier. He takes the literal weight off of our shoulders so that we can do what we need to do.

It has gotten me to think about who my doormen are. Who are the people who can help open that door that I need opened but cannot open myself? Every job I have gotten in my career I have had someone provide an introduction. I had someone who opened the door. Who are your doormen? Are you “tipping” them — helping them when they need you; thanking them for their help; providing things that they may need to do their job better?

Who are your bellmen? Who has helped you get through rough times? Who has mentored you and helped you navigate through your advancement? Who has helped you with your baggage (your problems, your issues, your challenges, your roadblocks)?

If you have them in your life you are well on your way. If you do not have them or do not have enough of them then it is on you to start developing those relationships so that when the time comes (and it will) that you need someone they are there for you.

Find those that can be your doormen and bellmen and keep in mind that you also have to wear these hats for other people. It’s called mentoring. It’s called “doing for others what you would want them to do for you.” Very little in the world of advancing yourself is done on an island. We all need each other to become successful. And next time you are in a hotel, tip those guys!