It’s not easy building a brand. If it was, every second person would jump right in and do it. But you can adopt a few simple strategies to make it a little easier on yourself.
One of the very first pieces of advice we were given when starting our own businesses was to surround ourselves with super smart people; find those experts that can support you where you have gaps in knowledge or skills. Don’t be too proud to admit you don’t have all the answers.
We like to call it our eco-system or our ‘people’. What’s the point of employing or working with people that just keep the status quo or don’t help you develop and grow. You are not evolving and neither is your brand.
“Surround yourself with people who lift you up, lend you knowledge and help you learn from your mistakes. Raise your standards for your inner circle.” ― Tony Robbins
If you are anything like us, you like to have a happy, positive, conflict free work environment. And creating your work environment built on those foundations is a good thing. But, if you hire people you ‘like’, that tick a wide range of ‘boxes’ that might keep things ripple free – but you may be doing your brand a major disservice.
You are better to surround yourself with people who have a genius of some kind, a genius that inspires you, that drives you forward, that takes you to another level. However these high level players may cause friction. Maybe there’s a little more conflict in meetings. But is it productive? Pushing you to a better solution. You have to ask yourself ‘how is their genius contributing to my growth?’ and ‘can I live with those shortcomings?’ Jiim Collins in his business owner’s bible ‘Good To Great’ eloquently presents this concept and suggests it’s a powerful way to build a truly great company.
How to surround yourself with the right type of people
They say you are the sum of those people you surround yourself with. So choose carefully. This concept goes back to the early teachings of Confucius in the 6th century BC who wrote ‘if you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.’
We have put together a checklist of questions to help you when you are building out your people; your room.
- Does this person elevate you? Do they encourage you to grow?
- Does this person bring a fresh perspective?
- Is this person already successful in their own right?
- Does this person take you outside your comfort zone?
- Does this person have a level of expertise that fills a gap for you?
The influences around you can help make or break a brand. So put energy into surrounding yourself with the right people.
Keen to find more of ‘your people’? Join our private Facebook Group of inspiring entrepreneurs.
Love,
Jodie + Em xx
