Clients and potential clients often ask me about their diamond support teams. In this article, I will share five traits that you should look for in a support group.
Your diamond support group is a group that supports and guides you in running your business. These people may not be on your staff, although they could be. However, they are committed to helping your business achieve its goals.
Be cautious when choosing your team. Some people may not be right for you, despite all of your best intentions. Our family might not be the best people for advice. They care about us and want the best, but they may also have fears and anxieties that could cause us to doubt our abilities and create anxiety.
It can be difficult to choose the right team. Here are my top 5 tips.
1. Impartial
So that they can have space to think and be objective, you need someone who isn’t invested in your business. It can cloud someone’s view if they are too invested. This is an example of a situation where a family member may not be the right person to help.
2. Balanced
You need someone who will listen to you and give you an objective view. It is important to find someone who can see your idea, your plan, and your suggestions from multiple perspectives. The last thing you want is someone who loves your idea too much to overlook a crucial point that could have devastating consequences.
3. Expertise & Proven
This is a simple decision. You should look for people who are experienced in the area you require assistance. It’s that simple.
4. There is no B.S.
This is my favorite… find someone who will tell you what you need without any BS. This has been a difficult one for me to hear, but I have learned a strategy to not throttle the messenger (! I take a step back and listen to what they have to share. Then, I sleep on it, then respond. To make sure they don’t feel ignored, I tell them this.
Trustworthy people should be open and honest with you.
5. Hug & Duck!
You need them to be able to tell when they should duck! You may be in a weak moment and throw a fit because you don’t want to hear the advice of someone else, but trusting them will make you listen. Although you may not always follow their advice, at least you know that they are looking out for your best interests. Once you get past the “ducking” stage, you can start to appreciate one another in the business journey. Isn’t that part of the fun??
You need to choose carefully and make wise choices. These people will be there for you at the highs as well as the lows, so be sure to have them available in both!