Assemble your Dream Team

The company you keep can be a single-handed propelling force in your life. With the right team of people by your side, you can maximize your potential and surpass both professional and personal goals.
Assemble your own Dream Team by looking for these key players:
The Mentor – Someone who’s been there. This is a person you respect and admire. They remind you to look at the big picture. You see their life and think “That’s what I want.”

An Advisee – A person you can mentor. They are eager to learn from you and respect your work. Your willingness to teach them and spend time with them affirms your own knowledge and skills, even reminding you where you’ve come from and the lessons you’ve learned along the way.
Your Advocate – No matter what circumstance you find yourself in, you need someone who fights for you and honors what you stand for.
An Equal – A colleague or friend who is in your same boat. You challenge each other to become the best you can possibly be. Compare notes, support each other, get competitive when it’s beneficial.
A Neutral – Someone with no direct investment in your life or work. This is a person who can provide an outside perspective when needed.
The Wildcard – The Wildcard is just that — wild. This person is in an industry completely different than yours. They keep you on your toes and expose you to new experiences and people. Things are never boring when they are around.
Supporting Stars: You need at least one or two people who can support your work and help you prioritize the bigger picture. These are folks you feel comfortable delegating work to, individuals you trust when you need to head out of town.
Common traits found in each key player:

  • passion
  • vulnerability
  • inspiration
  • communication skills
  • curiosity and wonder
  • sense of adventure
  • excitement
  • joy
  • authenticity
  • trustworthiness

The people surrounding you can make the difference between pushing beyond your limits and settling for less. Find those who push you.