Every successful leader I have met has a group of people around them to lift them up, question them, and help generate success.
Once you get to the top, it can be easy to assume that it will be lonely, but that is not true. It is only lonely at the top if you allow it to be. As you become a leader, a business owner, or a C-Suite, the best thing you can do for yourself is to gather a team around you that understands the importance of the goals set in front of you.
Good leaders do not work alone. If you want to find great success throughout your career, the best way to do that is by having an exceptional group around you.
Success Is a Team Effort – And There Is No “I” in Team
If you are like me and have devoted much of your life to a sport, you understand you are not the only person there. You are a piece of the bigger picture. Everyone on the team is there to contribute to the game’s success.
This is extremely similar to being a leader in your company. There is no “I” in team. Whether you are a business leader or a quarterback, you don’t earn your successes alone.
Leadership requires vulnerability, which can help you open yourself up to the help and support of others. You must approach a leadership position with an open mind and the mindset that you are not the only one in the picture. Each member of the team you create as a leader has their own responsibilities, opinions, and opportunities, all of which work together toward the goals you wish to accomplish.
The Benefits of Not Working Alone
A leader who works alone is likely to feel burnt out, exhausted, and overwhelmed by everything they have set out to accomplish. Thankfully, those feelings are not required to be a leader. Working together with those on your team and other leaders can bring numerous benefits.
A Diverse Group of Perspectives
There is never one way to a solution. Working with others brings multiple different ideas and perspectives to the table. This can lead to more innovative solutions and efficient ideas.
Disperse the Responsibility
Each member of your team has their set of skills and strengths. As a leader, it is your responsibility to utilize them in order to obtain the best results. So, working alongside those who might have different abilities can help you bring more impactful solutions, lower your stress levels, and delegate tasks appropriately.
Team Engagement Is Increased
Engagement can lead to amazing results within your team. It can also raise the level of trust, morale, and communication across your business and help those around you feel more valued in their roles. When you stop seeing yourself as a singular pillar in the business and start seeing yourself as part of the larger picture, your whole team and business will benefit.
How to Get Into a Group Mindset as a Leader
It takes work to transition from an isolated leader to one who works alongside team members and fellow leaders. Although it takes effort to make the shift, it is a beneficial leadership style to hone.
It all starts with trusting those around you. As said earlier, your team members and associates are in their roles for a reason. They have their strengths and abilities, and as a leader, it is your responsibility to trust that they will effectively do their jobs. It is time to empower those around you and bring them into the conversation.
Patience is also a necessary trait to adapt during this mindset shift. If you have worked alone for a certain amount of time, you have a standard that things get done in certain ways, but as you take on a group mindset, it is time to adopt a level of patience. This does not mean deadlines are not met or projects stay unfinished. Practicing patience means we take the time to understand others’ work styles, habits, and needs so a proper process can be made.
Working alone can cause you to get into the habit of saying yes to everything, and soon enough, your plate is overflowing. It is time to learn how to delegate tasks to team members and associates who can handle them effectively. Delegation can be one of the most critical traits to learn as a leader.
Goals Can Only Be Met When Working Together
Whether you want to win the big game or reach record-high profits by the end of the year, you can not do it if you are working alone. Goals must be worked on as a team where everyone has their role, responsibilities, and stake in the bigger picture.
Good leaders understand that the business’s goals are not a solo achievement. Working together allows you to bring in people of different perspectives and skills and gets you to your goals a lot faster.
So, Leaders, Are You Still Working Alone?
Unless you are playing solitaire, working alone is not the play. It is time to work together with your team members, fellow leaders, and associates to find the success you and your business deserve. Are you ready to stop working alone and start working with those around you?
If you have further questions or wish to become a stronger leader, contact me!