No Man (or Woman) is an Island

Teamwork is vital to the success of virtually any business – a restaurant, retail store, huge corporation or a network marketing business.  No one stands alone and expects to accomplish all that needs to be done.  In retail and corporations, each person serves a specific purpose, and if one person is not holding up their end, the remaining people must pick up the slack.  In most situations, the “slacker” would not last very long with their company.  They would be fired.

In network marketing, teamwork is a bit different.  Unless a team member violates company rules, they generally cannot be “fired.”  There are a few elements that are needed to keep a team running smoothly. 

·         A common purpose.  With network marketing, each individual in a team is an independent business owner, but each joined the network to achieve success.  Yes, I know that not all the team members will ever be successful, but I’m talking common purpose.

·         Interdependence.  Each member of a network marketing team depends on at least one other person to reach their goals.  They depend on their sponsor to train them and support them along their path.  Team leaders depend on each of their members to work their business, thus helping both the member and leader to grow their businesses.

·         Roles and contributions.  Each person can play more than one role in network marketing.  If they are recruiting a team, they are a team leader.  However, that leader also has their own sponsor, and they are a member of that person’s team, helping their own sponsor by making sales.  How much each individual contributes to the team can greatly effect the success of many.

·         Accountability, both individual and mutual.  Each individual within a team is responsible to themselves to grow their personal business.  At the same time, they are also accountable to the team as a whole.  It is true that, in network marketing, there are always going to be those who do not take this responsibility seriously, either to themselves or their team.  These people never succeed.

·         Empowerment.  Independent business owners have the power to create an empire, make a decent living or supplement their income.  They are empowered to make their choices and work their businesses accordingly.  There is both freedom and challenges that come with empowerment.

Those individuals in network marketing who do not consider themselves part of a team are rarely successful.  Working together to achieve that common purpose drives each individual to work harder to help themselves and the team. 

·         Team meetings, Webinars and conference calls can help members of a team to see how important they are to the team as a whole. 

·         Competition between different teams can inspire team members to work harder to earn the prize and to help the team at the same time. 

·         For those who have team members residing in the same area, having local team events can help to strengthen a team. 

No matter how we do it, those leading a team must encourage their teams to work for the benefit of the company as a whole, for the team and for themselves.  They are all intertwined, and when everyone on a team works for the same common purpose, they are helping to create and maintain both a strong team and a successful business.

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Are You Leadership Material?

When growing a team of powerful leaders, it helps to know what you believe qualifies someone to be a leader.  The following is what I look for in a leader.

·         The main characteristic of a leader – and of a good team member – is that they are coachable.  If you ask 10 people if they’re coachable, they will all answer yes.  In reality, many are not.  Those who are coachable are open to new ideas, to what works for others.  They are willing and able to step out of their comfort zone to grow their business.

·         My team members who have imagination, creativity, self-determination and self-motivation are making sales and growing their business.

·         I don’t believe we can motivate someone to work who is not self-motivated.  We can, however, inspire our team members by doing what we have taught them to do.

·         We can lead by example, so our team members can see that what we teach them to do actually works.  The top team members don’t need someone to hold their hand every step of the way.  They watch, listen and learn from the leaders, and then they get to work!

·         We all run across prospective team members who tell us how great they are.  That doesn’t work for me.  As the old adage says, ‘action speaks much louder than words.”  Show me!  We need team members we can count on to do their part, without having to remind them or urge them on.

·         Leaders are responsible for coaching, teaching, serving people, setting a good example and being available to those they lead.

·         By setting a good example for our team members, we encourage them to grow.

·         A good leader won’t pretend they’re experts in every aspect of their business, nor will they ignore the suggestions and ideas of their team members.  Good leaders encourage their team members to make suggestions and to ask for assistance and problem solving help.

·         Team members are always a priority to a good leader.  If you work your business part time, be sure your team members know your work schedule.  And, be sure they have contact information for who else they can call for help if you are unavailable.

I believe nearly everyone can – if they wish – become a good leader.  However, they must listen to those who have been successful with the company.  Creating your own unique path may seem like a good idea, but in reality, its best not to reinvent the wheel.

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