Working Together

None of us are in this alone. We rely on one another to make our way through challenging times. One of the gifts of experiencing a time a great change is that such moments highlight the true value of a strong team.

Who has been on your team in recent months? No doubt the people within your organizational group are part of your team, but your team likely includes other people who are equally important.

Your Inner Circle

A leader's potential is determined by those closest to them. Teams are built on efficiency and mutual support. In the "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership", John C. Maxwell calls this the Law of the Inner Circle.

The people in your inner circle are a matter of choice. What you put into the world comes back to you. That's why it is worth pausing for a moment and reflecting on who you might be drawing into your inner circle.

What to Look For

As John C. Maxwell suggests, when building your inner circle, it helps to look for:

1. People who have high influence with others. Ever notice the people who seem to always be surrounded by others? What about those people who seem to build support and enthusiasm simply through their presence? Those are the people you want in your inner circle.
2. People with gifts that complement those of the team. A strong leader understands their strengths and where they could use extra help. The strongest teams are diverse, bringing together people with different skills and backgrounds.
3. People who hold a strategic position in the organization. Decision-makers are always valuable people to have in your inner circle. People involved in innovation or research can also strengthen the team.
4. People who add value to others. You can find the best leaders by looking for those who are most helpful. As Napoleon Hill said, "It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others succeed."
5. People who make a positive impact on the team. Strong leaders attract other strong leaders. Each person who joins an inner circle increases the collective impact they have on the community where they live and the world.

An Example from Our Times

Look around your community and you will find examples of the inner circle at work. During times of challenge, people find new ways to build teams.

Few industries have been more affected by the pandemic than food and beverage services. Businesses that may have served food in restaurants can no longer count on their customers coming to them. Everyone has had to pivot to a new way of reaching their customers. In the process, new inner circles have been built for the common good of all.

In Calgary, twenty-four food and beverage vendors have banded together to deliver their culinary delights to customers' homes through a website called Best of Calgary Foods. They are the first owner-operated delivery company in Calgary. The businesses involved had tried solving the challenges on their own, but when they widened their inner circle, a stronger solution arrived. Visit their website at bestofcalgaryfoods.com to learn more.

Call to Action

What is missing from your inner circle? Come up with a few strategies for expanding your inner circle. Set a schedule for taking action.

Your Friends,
The UpCloseTeam