This week I have engaged a new mentor, met with my book editor, had several calls with my Business Manager, met with my accountability group, had a couple of discussions with colleagues about our practices and where we are headed, I trained with my personal trainer a few times,  I had a discussion with my husband about business development, and I chatted with my kids about a client I’m working with and how much I am enjoying the experience because I am learning.

This is not intended to be a look-at-me piece.  It is intended to share the importance of my support crew and how I use them to elevate my leadership effectiveness.

The people I mentioned above are all part of my support crew.

A support crew is a carefully assembled group of individuals that you can call upon for support in a particular area.  They all have their role in the production of my life.  Some are clear about their roles because they have been specifically engaged to support me in a particular area.  For others, they are less clear, because the support that they provide me, and I provide them is organic, unscheduled, and spontaneous.   

A support crew is, in my mind, a vital ingredient for any leader.   

I didn’t know I needed a support crew until things started to unravel for me in my role as an Executive in the corporate world.  Others didn’t think I needed a support crew, either.  In fact, a friend commented at one point, that it didn’t feel like I needed them as I always had my shit together.  That one hurt.  I felt a sense of shame associated with not being vulnerable enough.  I became fearful that if I looked like I didn’t need any support, no one would support me when I did need it. I knew I did need it, and that I would continue to.

So, I went looking for what I needed.  At the time, I engaged an Executive Coach and a Personal Trainer.  They were paid professionals engaged to help me elevate my performance.  Then I had the more organic crew, my husband, family, friends, and colleagues.  I became more comfortable with sharing difficulties and challenges.  And what happened next was most surprising.  The support crew expanded.  I was meeting people that could support me in undertaking my role.  Mentors, accountability partners, colleagues in the same role in different organisations. I was supporting them, too, and felt energised to do this because I was in a better place.  Unexpectedly I had assembled a strong crew, and I am forever grateful.    

Fast forward to now, almost five years later, I run a leadership development practice with a small team.  I have an extensive support crew, and I would not be able to do what I do without them.  I like to live fast.  Others may perceive this as chaotic, but it works for me.  There’s always something on, ideas to pursue, research to be undertaken, books to read, people to see, and places to go.  This makes my support crew even more important.  I treat them like a Board of Personal Advisors. I am raw and honest.  I am vulnerable with them.  This enables them to provide targeted support that meets my needs precisely. 

My support crew is balanced between the categories of business/career, health, relationships, and spirituality.  This works for me.   You may find yourself having different categories and maybe no categories.  There is no prescription.  You assemble the support crew based on what you need.   You develop immense trust in these relationships, and this doesn’t mean you keep the same crew forever.  Sometimes you realise you need something else.  Different stimuli for an enhanced response.  This is important so you can effectively continue to elevate and evolve.

You can go through life without an extensive support crew; however, I think you may be short-changing yourself.   

If you have a support crew already, who is in it?  How do they support you?  Are they providing a balance of push and nurture?   If you don’t have one, what do you need?  Who would you place in your support crew?  How will having them as your support crew, elevate your ability to be a great leader?

If you want to chat about assembling your own support crew, reach out.

Rita Cincotta writes, mentors, and speaks on elevating leadership impact, individual and team performance, resilience, and new ways of working. She works with organisations to develop human centred solutions that help people and businesses to thrive.