You’ve rolled up your sleeves and done the hard work. You’ve brought your idea for a great business into reality. You’re not just the leader of this endeavor; you’re the founder and owner. Or maybe you’re not. Maybe you walked into an existing business. Maybe you were brought into a leadership role for a start-up. Either way, you sit at the top of the org chart.
There aren’t many (or any) roles sitting above you. There’s a limited (or no) number of peers running on the same row of the hierarchy outline. You’re the space where the buck stops. You’re the final decision-maker. You’re the one that signs off on the big ideas. Sound familiar? If it does, you need to develop a support network outside your organization.
Let’s be honest, owning and/or leading a business can be lonely. There will be decisions you’ll need to weigh that you can’t discuss with those that work for you. There will be challenges that your friends and family may not understand. The good news is you don’t need to do it alone. Building a network of peers and mentors gives you space to seek input, learn from shared experiences, and find common ground with others who have faced similar struggles, stresses, and decisions.
The deeper your support team bench, the better. Look for pros that thrive in areas you struggle. You may be brilliant at what you do, but accounting is not your strong suit. You have some marketing ideas, but it’s not really your passion. Start building your network by identifying mentors and business partners that excel in those areas and can come alongside you to advise and support those components of your business.
However, don’t stop with the professional services bucket. This support network transcends the list of folks you can delegate non-core strengths to. Seek out mentors – leaders who have trod this path before. Hire a coach who has a track record of leading successful organizations.
You want to find mentors and coaches that have similar core values and vision, but who can also challenge you and press you to grow in ways you don’t even realize you need to stretch. Seek out peers who can commiserate and celebrate with you. These are fellow business leaders and entrepreneurs who may not be walking the same exact path to success you are, but who can recognize the same trail markers and detours.
Your support network can take on many different forms. You’ll want the permanent fixtures who work alongside you to support your business and its growth, like a lawyer, an accountant, and/or a solid marketing team. As a leader, particularly as a leader managing the growth of a new business, you’ve got a full plate. A network of experts who tackle the tasks that aren’t in your wheelhouse will free up time and energy to focus on the bits of the business that only you can do.
Mentors and coaches are there to be your trail guide. There aren’t many people who summit Mt. Everest. Those that do train hard before approaching the mountain. Even after they’ve built up the physical strength, mountaineering skills, and resilience needed to attempt a serious climb, they don’t head up that mountain alone. They hire a sherpa who has been up and down Everest before; someone that knows the perils and the keys to success.
Your business mentor or coach is a lot like that sherpa. They’ve succeeded in the spaces you want to thrive and they know a few things. They’re there to help guide you, advise you, and support you. They’ll give you the honest, tough feedback you need to hear. They’ll help you weigh your options and give you a sounding board to bounce ideas off of before making decisions. They’ll guide you up to the summit of successfully launching a business.
The peers in your network are there to celebrate, commiserate, and brainstorm. Some of them may have already faced the challenges you’re navigating and can offer some insights. Some will just chuckle or groan in solidarity as you vent about your latest frustration. They’re in the trench next to you working toward the same sort of goal. They understand what you’re experiencing because they are also experiencing the same type of thing. Their support is about recognition and familiarity. It’s about knowing you’re not in this alone. You’re not the only one to have faced these challenges or to celebrate the small (or big!) wins.
The good news is you’ve got plenty of options and places to lean into to build your support network. From alumni groups at your alma mater, to professional associations and local chambers of commerce, there are places that gather great leaders in one spot to foster growth and support one another. And that’s just the start.
Hiring a personal coach or joining a group coaching session are also great choices. (Need an idea of where to start? Let’s talk.) Dig into the options of networking groups like eWomenNetwork, which connects entrepreneurs and business leaders who meet in-person and online at networking and support events. These groups expand the reach of your professional network and cultivate a space to learn, support, and grow together.
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