LEADERSHIP LAWS - #11/21 : The Law of the Inner Circle

A Leader’s Potential Is Determined by Those Closest to Him

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.

Once 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.

FIVE  types of leaders that one should try to add to the inner circle:
 
1) Potential Value - Those Who Raise Themselves Up
These are people who have the potential to motivate and lead themselves.
 
2) Positive Value - Those Who Raise Morale in the Organisation
He quotes a lovely old poem here that essentially states that there are only two types of people in the world "...the people who lift and the people who lean".  He makes the point that people who have a psotive influence
on those around them are invaluable to an organisation.
 
3) Personal Value - Those Who Raise Up the Leader
"It's lonely at the top, so you'd better take someone with you"!  This is not a case of surrounding yourself with sycophantic "yes men/women", but looking for people who will constructively advise and support you and help you to grow and develop as a leader.
 
4) Production Value - Those Who Raise Up Others
He gives the example of Ed Sullivan (the host of a hugely successful American TV talent show in the 1960's) of whom a comedian once said "He'll be around as long as other people have talent"!  In general, people who can identify the potential of others and empower them to develop are a great asset to a leader.
 
5) Proven Value - Those Who Raise Up People Who Raise Up Other People
"The greatest value to any leader is someone who can raise up other leaders".  This can lead to explosive growth as the multiplying (rather than simply additive) potential kicks in.