Any great leader will tell you how rewarding an experience it is to watch people blossom right before their eyes, seeing them grow into their own personal greatness.
But being a leader can also be a daunting task. You have to motivate and inspire people on a daily basis, and you have to balance your own personal and professional lives while helping a lot of others with theirs, as well. That’s a big challenge. But it all doesn’t have to be done just by you. Leaders who surround themselves with a solid personal ‘board of directors’ are better able to manage, balance, and lead their way through even the toughest of times.
Here are six types of people that every leader should have on her team.
Mentors - These are people who already have experience in what you’re trying to achieve. Mentors are coaches who can offer you wisdom and insight that can help you along your journey more quickly or smoothly.
Role Models - These are people you aspire to be like. They have a character you admire or are operating at a level you’d like to achieve. You don’t need to know them personally; it could be an author, a podcast host, or an influencer. When you gravitate toward someone’s style, they might be role model material.
Advisory Board - These are leaders in your organization who can offer specific insight into your business. These can also be consultants who bring their own unique talents into the mix. For example, when I’m working on a new idea, I will pull an advisory board together to get their opinions, ideas, or perspectives, which often leads to making tweaks to the product before I release it.
Peers - These are people within your same business who are in the process of doing what you are currently doing. They can be teammates or co-workers. Other people who are in a similar position to you can bring a different perspective to the way you’re doing what you’re doing. When you can see things using different perspectives, it might lead to more creativity or better results.
Circle of Influence - These are people you know who are connectors. These might be mastermind groups or networking superstars. I think it’s always important to increase your circle of influence. An example of how this can work is when I recently went to buy some furniture. When the salesperson asked when I wanted delivery set up for, I mentioned that I wanted to paint the room first. She immediately asked, “Do you have a painter?” I did not. Without being asked, the saleswoman recommended a painter, and you know what? She turned out to be the best painter I’ve ever had! That salesperson's willingness to jump right in and make a referral turned me into a customer for life at that furniture store. That’s the power of connecting people!
Support Staff - There are three support people every leader needs: the hugger (a person who will love you no matter what), the realist (who will hold you accountable), and the problem-solver (who loves to help you find solutions).
Keep in mind that this strategy doesn’t only have to apply to your professional life. Think about people you have in your personal life already that fill some of these roles, then look for opportunities to add more people to your team.
By the way, if you are a leader or aspiring leader in your sales organization, my 2022 Leader’s Guide is a must-have companion to the 2022 Planner! Check it out HERE.