Learn From the Best and Surround Yourself with the Right People
Let me emphasize that good leaders are not only assembling top-notch teams but also surrounding themselves with the right people. We mentioned this tip earlier in the book, but I’ll mention it again because it’s so important.
My friend, Geronda Wollack, human resources consultant, entrepreneur, and speaker, says she is amazed by the transformation I’ve made over the last year and a half – I’ve gone from good to great as a speaker and have evolved fairly quickly in a short period of time. This is largely due to surrounding myself with the right people (amazingly kind, friendly, and smart people such as Geronda). Geronda is an inspiration, always encouraging others and lifting them up – a true leader.
I then go back to these people who have lifted, raised, and inspired me to greater heights. They always tend to say, “I had no part in it. It was all you.” To my credit, I did work my butt off to apply what I learned. But to their credit, they are the ones who got me thinking in the right direction. They are just being humble.
You need people who get you thinking in terms of possibility, hope, and accomplishment – people who make you feel like a million bucks. You do need constructive feedback from honest people, but the feedback should never be given to you in a destructive, overly critical way. One of the keys to success and reaching your own Mountaintop is to surround yourself with the right people.
Nick Thacker, a successful blogger and author I mentioned in earlier posts who has assembled an awesome email list and community, says, “It is so true that no one is an island. If I’ve succeeded anywhere in my life so far, it’s been because I haven’t been afraid to ask for help or advice. When I meet a business owner, I ask if I can buy them lunch or coffee sometime. You’d be surprised how many times they say yes and how many times those little asks turn into a real friendship or mentorship.
“I recently asked the CEO of one of the top 10 zoos in the world to grab a coffee and he said yes,” Nick continued. “Leading up to our one-hour meeting was one of the most nerve-wracking and terrifying weeks in my life: what would we talk about? What if he thinks I’m an idiot? What do I wear? What if he feels our meeting is a big waste of time?
“Turns out I learned a LOT that day and we both had a great time. I listened to stories about business, life, and doing things that matter. We were able to relate to each other on a lot of it. But what I really learned was the power of asking. The worst someone can ever say is no and that should give you comfort. If it doesn’t, ask anyway, and get used to hearing no – it’s good for you.
“A lot of what I said isn’t wise, unique, or even new. But it’s true – it takes time, effort, and a lot of hard-earned failures to make something truly valuable as a leader. I’m still working on that myself, and I ALWAYS get sidetracked. But keep your ‘eye on the prize’, as the saying goes, and focus on what ‘success’ means to you.”
Nick, like Heather, Bill, Ann, Randy, and Mike, embodies the qualities of a leader. Nick has the courage to ask for what he wants and lives with integrity by staying true to his values. He’s also very humble and didn’t even acknowledge his achievements in our communications. He reached his Mountaintop because he put the focus on serving others. He defined his own version of success, and has done and continues to do incredible things with his life.
This is an excerpt from Chapter 4 of the award-winning book, Reach Your Mountaintop: 10 Keys to Finding the Hidden Opportunity in Your Setbacks, Flipping What You’ve Heard on Its Head, and Achieving Legendary Goals.
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