How much of your success is determined by those who sit around your table?
Dr. John Maxwell says, “The potential of the leader — along with the potential of the whole organization — is determined by those closest to him.”
One key to success is to surround yourself with the best people.
If this is true, who sits around your table? Who advises you? Who encourages your decisions?
As a leader, your desire is for the organization, family, and/or team you lead to succeed. One step you can take toward success today is to develop a strong inner circle.
In Dr. John Maxwell’s, 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John describes five types of people you must bring into your inner circle to add value to you and your organization. They are:
Those who raise up themselves. These are people who have the ability to lead and motivate themselves — and who naturally rise to the top.
Those who raise morale in the organization. These are people who lift up and boost the morale of those around them.
Those who raise up the leader. These are people who offer true support and encouragement to the leader without being “yes-men.”
Those who raise up others. These are people who value encouraging the success of others.
Those who raise up people who raise up other people. These are people gifted to raise up new leaders.
Can you imagine an inner circle full of these people?
What would you be able to accomplish with a team like this surrounding you?
Having a strong inner circle is possible — but it takes work to develop.
The reward is worth the work to develop a strong inner circle.
Anything is possible for a team that raises up themselves, raises up the morale of the organization, raises up the leader, raises up others, and who raise up people who raise up others people!
Take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions as you seek to build a strong inner circle around you:
Do you have an inner circle, and if so, who is in it?
Who needs to be brought into your inner circle that would inspire you to grow and add value to the organization?
Who is currently in your inner-circle that may be limiting the potential of either you or your team?
I hope this helps.
Maxwell, John (1998). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You (pp. 109-119). Nashville, Tn: Thomas Nelson Publishers
