Teams make you better than you are, multiply your value, enable you to do what you do best, allow you to help others do their best, give you more time, provide you with companionship, help you fulfill the desires of your heart and compound your vision and effort.
John C. Maxwell – The Law of The Inner Circle
- As each goose flaps its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
- Lesson – People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
- When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.
- Lesson – If we have as much common sense as a goose, we stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
- When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
- Lesson – It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each others’ skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, or resources.
- Geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
- Lesson – We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s core values and encourage the dreams of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
- When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
- Lesson – If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Building Your RichLife Dream Team
Chapter 8 – The RichLife – 10 Investments For True Wealth
Law 11 – John C Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
The Law of the Inner Circle
A Leader’s Potential Is Determined by Those Closest to Him
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Nobody does anything great alone, nor do leaders succeed alone. What makes the difference is the leader’s inner circle. As you consider whether individuals should be in your inner circle, ask yourself the following questions. If you can answer yes to these questions, then they are excellent candidates for your inner circle:
1. Do They Have High Influence with Others? – One key to successful leadership is the ability to influence the people who influence others. How do you do that? By drawing influencers into your inner circle.
2. Do They Bring a Complementary Gift to the Table? – Bring a few key people into my inner circle who possess strengths in your areas of weakness.
3. Do They Hold a Strategic Position in the Organization? – Some people belong in your inner circle because of their importance to the organization. If you and they are not working on the same page, the entire organization is in trouble.
4. Do They Add Value to Me and to the Organization? – The people in your inner circle must add value to you personally. They should also have a proven track record as assets to the organization. Seek for your inner circle people who help you improve.
5. Do They Positively Impact Other Inner Circle Members? – Team chemistry is vital. You want your inner circle to have a good fit with one another. You also want inner circle members to make one another better, to raise one another’s game.
ƒOnce you’ve reached your capacity in time and energy, the only way you can increase your impact is through others. Surround yourself with high performers that extend your influence beyond your reach and help you to grow and become a better leader.