I recently attended an event called Leadership Refresh. It’s a group of leaders that meets once a month at a local church to talk about leadership ideas. The vehicle used is to share a teaching from a world-class leader and then invest in some conversations around the table around the topic discussed in the teaching. It’s a simple, but dynamic engagement that is impactful.
At this particular session we watched Patrick Lencioni’s presentation from The UnConference on his topic “Are you an ideal team player?” If you want to watch the full 1-hour plus presentation I’ve embedded it below. (But, don’t quit reading this article!!!)
Lencioni’s simple premise is that we need to be players that are Hungry, Humble, and Smart (emotionally intelligent). I’ll let him explain the details in his video. You absolutely need professional colleagues that are hungry, humble, and smart. But, you also need an inner circle of people that have these characteristics, too. One of the great barriers to getting this people in your inner circle is you. If you want to attract people with these characteristics you have to be a person with them.
Empowering Your Coaches Around You
As I was contemplating this post I looked up his presentation and ended up in a TED Talk Lencioni did. This is an abbreviated version of the talk from the UnConference. But, it captures the essence of his earlier presentation well.
At the end of this version, however, he said something that really caught my attention. I’ve quoted Lencioni below. But, for those who prefer to watch or listen, here’s the link at the point in his teaching I’m discussing. Remember, don’t leave after watching this!!!
Lencioni says:
“Whatever the case is, what I want you to turn your colleagues, your team members, your family members into your coaches. They are the best source of coaching and advice you have to become a better team player and more successful in life. Cause the day that you know the people around you love you enough to tell you when you’re doing something that you need to improve in everything changes.”
That last part really stands out to me. We need to have people around us that love us enough to speak truth into our lives. Yet, knowing this and having it are two different realities.
Helping people discover how to build their community to include the right people around them is my mission. Having people around you isn’t the goal. Having the right people around you is the goal. You need people who will love you and help you thrive. I call this your Circle of 5.
Help Finding Your People
Do you have your people? Do you need to up your people game–your circle of 5? If you’re in a place where you need some help because you recognized you don’t have the right people around you then please reach out. You are exactly who I love to work with. Perhaps you can relate to Kelly in this story. She has a crowd of people around her, but she doesn’t feel she has the people investing into her.
If you’re ready to take action, let’s do a free consult call (email me here). Let’s explore what can happen in your life to help you build a community around you that coaches you up, champions your best, and loves you.