Who's Got Your Back?

As a Kiwanis leader, I am sure there are things that you have accomplished primarily as a result of your own hard work, talent, or maybe just sheer determination.  I also suspect that there are a number of successful endeavors you have been a part of that were only possible with the help of others.  Any man or woman that believes they are “self-made, is probably not paying attention to what is going on behind the scenes, and all around them.  Even hard-driving entrepreneurs ultimately discover the value of having the right people in a position to open doors, challenge conventional wisdom, and encourage innovation.  This month I am reading a book entitled “Who’s Got Your Back”. The premise of the book is that all successful leaders need an inner circle of “lifeline relationships” that will offer the encouragement, candid feedback and support to help them reach their full potential.   Author Keith Ferrazzi says:  “A lifeline relationship is one between equals, between peers, between individuals who can be intellectual sparring partners and confidents.”   Following are some insights from this book that are worth considering:

Ø  We are all entrepreneurs of our own ideas…a salesperson of ourselves and our opinions.

Ø  Most of us come against personal and professional problems that are too big to solve alone.

Ø  Most leaders have too many nodding acquaintances and not enough close encounters.

Ø   The internet provides us with more contact, not relationships.

Ø  All of us need the help of others to truly be successful.

Ø  In today’s culture we’ve overemphasized the individual at the expense of teamwork and collaboration.

As you wrap up a year of Kiwanis leadership and/or prepare for a new one, who would you identify as part of your inner circle?  Who has permission to point out your shortcomings and challenge you to think deeper or differently?   Who are the people that you can be transparent with, and who don’t judge you when you come up short?  Who are the ones that encourage and lift you up, so you can reach the next rung of the ladder?  May be worth taking a few minutes to think about who those people are…and if you are having trouble coming up with any names, it might be time to be more intentional about building your inner circle.  Any thoughts to share about the value of a strong inner circle and what it has meant to you in your life?