There was a time when I felt like all I was doing was sitting on the fence whilst my peers were succeeding at every goal they’d set.

They had a vision and desired to lead, so did I.

The difference was that they were not trying to figure out how to fulfill their vision all on their own.

They had support.

So instead of allowing jealousy getting the best out of me, I made the same choice successful people were making, I sought support in the form of a coach and friends who were further ahead than me.

When you have the right support, your vision becomes stronger, you have a sense of partnership and a personal achievement, which gives you the capability to grow and take advantage of opportunities in the market place. Through your networks, you will have access to new ideas, be willing to try new approaches to doing business and encouraged to take bold risks which will proactively generate avenues for growth.

As you know, it can be lonely at the top; so, who do you turn to when you have issues? Who do you run your ideas by?
Bruce D. Johnson, President and Founder of Wired To Grow concluded that there are at least seven ‘types’ of people you need in your life. Note that one person can also wear multiple hats.

So, here are the seven types:

1. An Encourager. Every leader needs at least one person who is always on their side. One person they can turn to and know; ‘not only does this person have my back, but they’ll find the positive in whatever I’m dealing with. They won’t critique me. They won’t give me a hard time.  But often, they’re someone outside of your organization who you know you can call up at any time and they’ll lift your spirits and breathe new life into you. So, who is your encourager?

2. A “Yes, But” Person. While most of us as leaders don’t like this person a whole lot—you know, the person who always seems to be an ‘Eeyore’, who always sees the negative, who always sees what could go wrong—the reality is that we need this person on the team. Yes, we have to work with them to not always see the negative but the reality is that every one of us can be biased in perception which means that there are things we ought to see before making a decision which we just don’t. And that is why we all need a “yes, but” person in our lives (as painful as that is) because they actually make us better decision-makers. So, who is your “Yes, but” person? Keep them close

3. A Core Teammate. Every leader, as he or she builds out their team, needs to find at least one person (occasionally two) who really gets them. Even though Steve Jobs had a great top team, it was Jony Ivy who was his core teammate. Or during Jack Welch’s reign at GE, it was his HR guy, Bill Conaty who served in that role. Yes, you want to build a talented team at the top. And yes, everyone is valuable. But you also need to find that one person who really gets you. Who makes you “a better man” (if you like movie quotes). You need that one person who day in and day out helps you get things done at a higher level, who thinks like you think and who operates like your “right hand.” So, who’s your core teammate?

4. A Confidante. Rarely is this person someone inside your organization (unless you’re a fan of the Godfather) because every leader needs someone they can turn to and talk with—and not have to worry about the repercussions of that conversation. In light of that, my experience has been that the best person for this key role isn’t a staff member or board member—or even a spouse (if you’re married). Instead, you want to look for someone outside your business who’s a trusted friend or advisor, whose advice you respect and who you know will never divulge the content of your conversations. It’s that perfect combination of wisdom, the ability to ask good questions, listen intently and keep confidences that makes this person so valuable to you. So, who is your confidante?

5. A Coach. Every business leader needs a coach, period. To get to the next level, you need a coach. Someone outside of your circle who will help you see things you can’t see, fill in parts you don’t get and who will push you when you need to be pushed. This is why all great athletes and all great business leaders have them. Bottom line, coaches make all of us better. So, who’s your coach?

6. A Mentor. The difference between mentors and coaches is usually related to cost (mentors are frequently free, coaches are paid). The randomness of meetings, (coaching meetings typically happen on a regular schedule like every other week vs. mentoring which tends to be sporadic–when a need arises), and the lack of accountability (i.e. mentors are rarely checking up and seeing what progress you’ve made vs. coaches are). Mentors can be board members (if you have a board) but usually they’re people who have gone a level or two (or more) beyond you and who are willing to offer advice on an ‘as needed’ basis. While you might schedule a monthly or quarterly meeting with them, mostly what you want is someone who’s seasoned, who possesses IP that you don’t, and who is willing to take your call (or email) when it comes in. So, who is your mentor?

7. An Accountability Partner. The seventh and final person that every leader needs in their life is an accountability partner. This is critical for you as a business leader because, while you may hold others accountable, rarely will anyone else hold you accountable for your decisions and actions. For example, rarely will an employee say to the owner of a company, “Hey, you said you were going to get X done by Y date. That date has passed. What happened?” Which is why you need someone else in your life to do that for you? You need someone who won’t be afraid of you and won’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. You need an accountability partner. So, who is your accountability partner?

Looking at these seven types, how are you doing? Do you have all seven types? Do you have someone who wears multiple hats for you—maybe a coach who is also your confidante and your accountability partner? If you’re missing anyone of these people, make a commitment to find them over the next month or so. And if you have at least one person in each category, why not expand the circle?

In as much as you are reading this post, you have fulfilled part of your connection so why don’t you go and find the remaining team? You really don’t have to go far; they are just waiting to be unleashed.

 

Photo credit: angelo malig