Pack, tribe, committee of champions, board of advisers – no matter what you call it, you know you need it to be successful.
But did you know how much power is in that pack?
And are you harnessing that power to build success – not only for yourself but in your pack?
Having a support system for professional women is key to success. Not only does it allow you a sounding board of other professionals, but it allows you a spot to test ideas and concepts without the fear of failing.
Your tribe is a key group of people who know you, hear you and empower you. They are mentors, sounding boards and sponsors for your career. They are the folks who tell you, “YOU GOT THIS!” or “You might be a bit over your skis on this one.” or “Get out of your own way.”
Amber Naslund recently posted on Why You Need a Committee of Champions. In her LinkedIn post, she writes that self-doubt is distorting; it’s like looking at our own lives and achievements in the fun-house mirror and getting back a really weird, unsettling picture. Your committee of champions can help you reshape that truth.
What you might think of as easy for you could be your super power to someone else. What you might think of as a solid piece of work, might need some additional polishing. Your tribe or committee of champions can help you
I recently read an article in Forbes that resonated with me and thought it was a perfect topic to rehash with my Think Tank Tribe. In her article, Power Of The Pack: Women Who Support Women Are More Successful, Forbes author Shelley Zalis writes,
“We need to reverse the stereotype that women don’t support other women. There is research that shows women in particular benefit from collaboration over competition. Study after study shows women who support women are more successful in business.”
Reading this article made me think about the power of my own tribe and how to better use it to build success – both for myself and for other women. I’ve written before about why tribes are so important for professional women, but this article made me want to revisit the conversation.
Not only should women be building their tribes for individual power but also, those tribes can work together to make a much larger impact. Shelley brings us advice for women leaders on how to find and cultivate a close network of female professionals. I loved the advice she provided:
- Take the word “work” out of networking.
Instead of looking at networking as just another task to complete, look at it as a way to connect with others through shared experiences. Instead of staying silo’d really look at who you can connect to with shared interests. It’s not about showing up perfect but rather discovering similar interests. - Prioritize relationship building.
Does your calendar reflect your priorities? Are you filling your plate with relationships or are you filling your plate with transactions? I know when I look at my calendar, I see room for improvement here. - Know that connection building isn’t one and done.
This was one of my favorite points. Instead of tossing around business cards and handshakes, seek out people you admire. Network with people you want to build that enduring relationship and be sure you’re reaching out and staying connected. - Amplify other women.
;A rising tide raises all boats’ is a cheesy saying but it is so fitting. If you see another woman doing a kick-ass job, call it out. Offer kudos. Share their accomplishments. Not only will it show you as a team player but also it shows that you’re surrounding yourself with successful women. - Find your squad—and tap into them.
Not just as a support system (although DEFINITELY do that) but also act as a connector for relationships and opportunities. People remember how you made them feel. They remember how you helped them out.
When was the last time you assessed your pack? Do you have the right people supporting you? Are you supporting them back?
Maybe it’s time to set a happy hour or coffee date to keep those relationships strong!
Photo by Jeff Lemond on Unsplash