5 Important Members to Include in Your Success Team

Do you need a success team?

Every woman needs a group of people who support and cheer her as she moves up the success ladder. No one exists in a vacuum. You’ll find that life is easier when you have an optimal success team.

The main benefit of consciously creating your team is that you decide who’s in it and who is not. You then allow your team to guide you as you grow in your career or business. Your success team members also become your helpers and sounding board when needed.

You don’t have to wait until you have a large goal before creating your success team. In fact, some members of your team may already be in place, but you never realized the important role they have played in your career or business success.

Important members of your success team

1.  A ‘soul sister’

This is a woman who knows you inside out and whom you trust 100%. Your soul sister:

• is always there for you.
• knows your strengths and weaknesses and never takes advantage of them.
• has been with you through thick and thin.
• rarely lets you down.
• loves you unconditionally.
• does not fear to tell you off when you’re being less than yourself.
• does not stand aside when you allow life to put you down.

She is always in your cheering team, celebrating with you, crying with you and soothing you. If you’re lucky, your soul sister is someone you grew up with or have known for a long time.

2. A mentor

This is someone who has already achieved success in the same field or business as you. Your mentor has seen it all and s/he is able to guide you around the potential pitfalls while at the same time challenging you to succeed.

Your mentors will change depending on what you want to achieve. Choose your mentors wisely so that you don’t end up with people who are in competition with you or who will steal your ideas and implement them. If you can’t find a physical mentor, then look for one in books, blogs or online programs.

I was lucky to have great mentors when I was employed. Every boss I had pushed me to excel beyond what I thought was possible for me. I didn’t appreciate it then, but I do today as most of the skills I use now (especially research, writing, speaking and listening skills) are as a result of my experiences as an employee.

I’ve also used virtual and physical mentors to grow as a coach, writer, blogger and trainer.

3. A coach or accountability partner

A coach will help you set and achieve your goals fast. At the same time, s/he will work with you to discover hidden skills and talents and provide you with a safe place to explore and change your limiting beliefs and behaviours.

Your coach is interested in helping you achieve a better future. You can meet in person, talk on phone or Skype, or use email on a regular basis.

If you cannot afford to hire a coach, then find an accountability partner who should be someone you know well and trust enough to share your goals with.

Working with coaches has been my main source of personal and business growth.

4.  Mastermind team

This is a group of like-minded people who have come together to help each other achieve success. Members are able to achieve success faster than each person would on their own.

Masterminds can meet physically, on phone or online. Most masterminds consist of 6-12 people who meet regularly (weekly, fortnightly or monthly) to support each other.

If managed well, our Kenyan chamas can be turned into powerful mastermind teams and not the merry-go-rounds most operate as.

5. Yourself

This is the most important person in your team. Nothing will change until you are committed to achieving your goals.

The other members of your success team can only go as far as you are willing to go. You also stand to lose your team if you’re not fully present or action-oriented.

Bonus success team members

6. A supportive mate

Having a partner or spouse who loves, trusts, understands and supports you will allow you to spread your wings. You will be comfortable knowing that you have someone with whom you can be totally yourself and who watches your back.

7. An outstanding housekeeper (for mothers)

I’m not talking about our regular househelps here. I’m talking about an experienced househelp who takes care of your home and children so that you don’t have to worry.

When you find such a person, pay her well and treat her well. Give her adequate time to rest each day and week and teach your children to respect her.

However, remember that this is your home and your children. You can only delegate housework and childcare, but you cannot delegate being a mother and parenting.

Over to you…

Having an optimized success team will help you achieve your career or business goals faster and in an easier way than you expected.

Do you have these 5 members in your team?

Go back to your goal for this year and identify which members you already have and which ones you need to add.

You don’t have to start with all 5, but you do have to start somewhere.

What has been your experience with creating a success team? What worked for you and what didn’t work? I’d love to hear about your experience so please share in the comments.

(Image credit: Free Digital Photos)