Have you ever had the thought, “leadership is lonely”? It’s one of the beliefs that gets, and keeps, you stuck. And it’s a lie.
The truth is leadership doesn’t have to be lonely. Your 5 closest relationships predict your results.
Your inner circle may be the single biggest determinant of your success — or your stuckness and setbacks. The wrong people will drain your energy, cloud your vision, drag you off focus, keep you playing small, and hold you back from fulfilling your potential.
Research even shows that strong social connections increase resilience and success, while unproductive relationships can hold you back from your goals.
Who are the five people closest to you? Write their names down. These are the people who get the most of your time, energy, investment, and heart.
On a scale of 1-10 (1 = not at all!; 5 = neutral, 10 = 100%), identify how supportive your five closest people are. Do they…
- lift you up
- share your values
- challenge you to grow
- listen deeply without problem solving, unless asked
- speak truth
- motivate you
- cheer you on
- support your goals
- help lighten your load
- know you authentically
- encourage rest
- align with your life and leadership vision
You need like-minded people closest to you in order to thrive.
But those kinds of relationships don’t happen on accident. It takes intention. Connections that produce the most personal and professional growth are those based on mutual respect, trust, and shared values. When you invest in the right relationships, you’re creating a powerful support system that produces life-giving results from the inside out.
If you’re ready to cultivate a community that fuels your mission, look closely at the people who have the most access to your time and energy.
Invest in the right people and don’t be afraid to release the wrong people.
Let’s redefine leadership together, away from isolation and toward purposeful connection. We belong together and we belong to one another. Choose your community wisely. Your life and leadership depends on it.
