Get the Best: Who You Have Around You Matters

In your entrepreneurial journey, you likely started out on your own. You felt assured and passionate about the idea you wanted to execute. However, as you progressed, you started to realise that you couldn’t achieve everything on your own.

I was recently on a weekend getaway with friends, when the conversation turned to leadership in war. I asked my friend, "If you were leading a platoon in war, would I be in it?" He said, "Yes, absolutely." I then asked, "Where, and in what role?" He responded, "Amongst the rest of the platoon, encouraging everyone towards our mission. I see you as a catalyst for positive motivation and inspiration. You would be loyal and central to the mission's success." Reflecting on his words, I had to agree. That's exactly where I would be in a platoon.

Q: What do you think your role would be in a platoon and why?

Q: Who else would you have in your platoon to be effective in your mission?

“A journey alone will only take you so far”

Knowing where you add value is key to understanding who you need around you to be at your best. To have the most effective impact, you need people who can compliment you and support you on your entrepreneurial journey. Here are some things to consider when finding the right people to support your journey:

Passionate about You or Your Idea: Surround yourself with people who share your enthusiasm and believe in your vision.

Values Alignment: Ensure that those you bring around you, have values that align with yours to foster a cohesive and supportive environment.

Complementary Strengths: Look for individuals who possess strengths and skills that complement your own, filling in gaps and enhancing your capabilities.

Trusted Relationships: Ensure that you foster relationships based on trust. This is where everyone can rely on each other and work collaboratively towards common goals.

You can try to undertake your entrepreneurial journey alone, but this won't allow you to build the momentum you need. Instead, surround yourself with the right people to achieve the success you aspire to.

 My  Learnings:

• I realise that collaborating with others brings in diverse perspectives and enhances the overall outcome, something I couldn't achieve alone.
• If I know what I am good at, I can look for people that will compliment me in the areas that I’m not so strong.
• Fostering trust is important to allow for open communication and effective collaboration.

Building a successful entrepreneurial venture requires more than just your individual effort; it demands a team with diverse backgrounds, complementary strengths, and aligned values. Foster a supportive culture where open communication and continuous learning are prioritised. Seek mentorship for guidance and cultivate resilience and adaptability.

My  Questions for you:

• What are your core strengths and how can you use them to build a team?
• What strengths do you lack that would be helpful to you?
• What strategies could you create to foster trust and open communication with your team?

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." – Oprah Winfrey

Reach out, and let's take time to discover how we can progress together. Remember daily to, 'Find value in your influence.' Your voice matters, and I'm excited to hear from and work with you!"

Written By: Paul Fawcett.