Who's working on your team?

Team

Flying solo - now there's an oxymoron. Look closely and you will see most successful solo operators have a working team behind them who are contributing to their successes.

"I'm working on my own," I hear you protest. "I don't have a team".

Not so. All soloists can benefit from working as part of a team

Examples of 'solo' achievers include Geraldine "Jerri" Mock who became the first woman to fly solo around the world in her single-engine Cessna. Then there are sports stars like marathon swimmer Shelley Taylor-Smith, who beat tremendous odds to became a world champion.

Whilst these people were obviously high and determined achievers, without their "team" of managers, sponsors, technicians, instructors and so on, the journey towards their amazing achievements would not even have got off the ground.

It is essential for those of us who work on our own to create a team that supports our vision and direction and helps create the power and synergy we need to succeed.

The first step in building a team is to list the resources and skills you need to achieve your business goal. Then check that you have either the ability and time yourself, or the appropriate people to fill in the gaps.

Now, and most importantly, do a check to make sure that those who you consider are on your team are the people you really want to work with.

Let's look at some of the people who might be on your team and what qualities they need to demonstrate to stay there.

Suppliers

Are they on your team when you want things in hurry or something done beyond the usual? Can you rely on them to provide what you need, when you need it and without constant checking and hassling?

Accountant

Does your numbers person appreciate how you operate and understand the stresses of being a solo operator? Is he or she creatively working for you to minimise tax and build your business? Does your accountant have the same picture of your business and where it is going as you have?

Customers

Have you created a team of advocates out of your satisfied customers who, by virtue of their enthusiastic referrals, are a vital part of your marketing team?

Family

Yes, family. Making sure your partner and family are enrolled as part of your business team can be a key to balance and business success. Does your family understand what you do and what you need from them to make it happen?

Consultants, coaches and the like

Perhaps you think saying they're on your team is stating the obvious. However, make sure it's your individual needs they adapt to in their coaching and consulting and are not insistent on following their own agenda or rigid system, regardless.

Often, all that is needed to bring someone really on board your team is a conversation over coffee.

Start with an appreciation of what they do for you. Then be specific around what you now need and want from them as a member of your team. (This is the time to bring up anything that doesn't work for you). Ask them if they are willing to provide you with what you need to include them in your team. And finally ask them what they need and want from you to enable them to serve you best.

In the words of Albert Einstein "Nothing great was ever done alone".

Wendy Buckingham is a writer, speaker, coach and author of the Ready Set Goal Series. She is also co-owner of Class One Productions, a leading Australian producer of audio/video programs for business education.

2 comments

Very true. Particularly building a close relationship with your suppliers. Treat them well during throughout the year and they will be more than happy to work with you to meet urgent deadlines or deliver tricky projects when you need them. Peter Crocker from Flying Solo | Read my articles
Hi Wendy - ain't it the truth ! Totally solo equals selfishness - solo amongst fellow soloists equals independence without ever being truly alone. Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles