July 21, 2011

Getting to, and staying on top of, your entrepreneurial game is a team sport, no matter how many times you’ve heard the ridiculously successful utter, “I got here on my own; no one gave me anything.”

As entrepreneurs we know that building a business takes an extraordinary amount of work. If you reflect on your own journey you’ll remember each door that was opened for you, every person that said ‘yes,’ and every visionary that crossed your path was willing to share, encourage and direct.

In fact, the smartest, and fastest, way to grow (both personally and professionally) is to know this not-so-little truth, no one gets to the top alone.

Maximizing growth and success is easier when you know what to look for.  There are three key types of individuals every successful entrepreneur must fill in order to thrive.  For your journey enlist the guidance of an advisor, sponsor and mentor.  As you grow and evolve, the people filling each role for you may change, embrace the change, it’s making you – and your business- better!

Advisor

The person that provides direction, such as where you should go to learn what you need to know so you can reach your goals.

Sponsor

The person who’s going to expend their own personal capital (connections, reputation, finances) to allow you to get ahead.

Mentor

The person that allows you to bare your soul.  The person you can say, “I’ve got this fear, and I’ve got this anxiety.” A mentor helps you through your challenges and issues.

As you evaluate your current team, you may be pleasantly surprised to realize you already have individuals acting in these critical roles.  But if you don’t, start recruiting!

Keep an open mind and heart during each networking event you attend.  You never know that the person you’re sharing tea with could be the same individual to help you get to the next level.

But remember, the only way to stay at the top when you get there is to remember all of those who helped along the way.  Pay it forward by taking a role in someone else’s entrepreneurial dreams.

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