By: More often than not, executive job seekers are advised to come up with a strategic plan and a list of hundreds of target companies. Then the work of building, fortifying and leveraging relationships begins. But who is already on your team? Who are the three to five people who push you to your limits, fan your fire, serve as your own personal cheer leading squad and hold you accountable for both your successes and your failures? These are the folks who are most valuable to your overall career success.
The Coach
Mentors are people who have been where you are and who successfully transitioned on to bigger and better things. They are the folks who understand you – your mission, your challenges, your strengths and weaknesses – and can serve as sage counsel in helping you to navigate your professional endeavors. This is particularly important during an executive job search as your mentor will likely be able to provide you with valuable strategies including insight on how to approach different companies, streamlining interview processes and the best way to position yourself in the job market.
The Cheerleader
Your cheerleader always seems downright enamored with you. The cheerleader senses greatness in you and has the courage and admiration to express it in a variety of funny little ways. Your cheerleader can help to restore your strength when you are feeling pitiful and can fuel your fire when that fire’s down to a few embers. It’s not that everything you do is wonderful. It’s not that you never make any mistakes. It’s just that the cheerleader sees the potential in you and wants what’s inside on the outside.
The Spotter
“Get it up! Come on! You got it! One more!” Your spotter is the person who helps you to implement the plans laid out by the coach. The Spotter is an equal who holds you accountable when you succeed and holds you accountable when you crash and burn. Your spotter never leaves you in a lurch and in an effort to not be called a wimp, you often find yourself working harder and going farther than you thought you were capable, all to maintain the respect of this particular colleague.
The Agent
The Agent is a social butterfly of sorts and always has a line in on another event, opportunity or happening. Opportunities gravitate to this person and like any agent would, this team member passes the good news on.
The Other Team’s MVP
Every super hero needs a chance to demonstrate his “superness” by being confronted with someone of equal or greater strength and ability. How would Superman know his own strength without General Zod? How would Batman know the depths of his compassion without Bane or The Joker?
Like it or not, you need resistance. You need doubters. You need something or someone to pose a threat to your livelihood, dreams and aspirations. Whether that is unemployment, underemployment or just plain boredom, having someone that reflects your own potential for greatness but who is not exactly in your corner is invigorating and life-sustaining. You need the other team’s MVP.
Everyone needs their own company of friends, fellows, family and foes in order to make the necessary stride toward their own goals and opportunities. Find your company and let them help you get to the next level of your career.