As an entrepreneur – and former professional sportsman - I’ve come to learn one fundamental truth: success is never a solo venture. Granted, my sport was snooker, which one could argue is indeed a one-man job as you face off against your opponent, but I couldn’t have reached the world stage without my supportive team around me. People like Patsy, my coach, Tony, who owned the snooker hall I trained in, and countless others. No matter how brilliant your ideas are, or how skilled you are; no matter how hard you work, or how determined you might be, your ability to achieve greatness hinges on the people you surround yourself with.
In my book, 10 Steps to Success in Business, I ask an important question:
Who would offer to pick you up from the airport?
These are the people in your life who are there for you, no matter what, without you ever having to call in a favour. If you have a person – or people – in your life like that, then you’re onto a winning start.
Here’s why surrounding yourself with the right people is the key to unlocking your full potential:
You’ve probably heard this phrase before, but it rings especially true in business. The relationships you nurture can open doors that would otherwise remain shut. Mentors, investors, partners, and employees all contribute different perspectives and resources that can propel your success forward. Without the right connections, you may struggle longer than necessary.
Even the most talented entrepreneurs have weaknesses. Steve Jobs had Steve Wozniak. Warren Buffett had Charlie Munger, who he described as his “closest partner and right-hand man”. Even Batman needed help in the form of Robin! Successful entrepreneurs understand their limitations and build teams that compensate for them, and as I state in my book, you need a team of people willing to support each other and find solutions, with a long-term approach and a shared vision of what they want to achieve.
Some of the best ideas don’t come from one person but from the exchange of different viewpoints. When you surround yourself with smart, driven individuals, you create an environment where knowledge is shared, and innovation thrives. This is one of the man reasons I created one of my businesses, the Adore Group. Open conversations with my team often lead to breakthroughs and ideas that challenge my way of thinking. We really can all learn from each other!
Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster. The highs are exhilarating, but the lows can be devastating. Having experienced both ends of the spectrum, I wholly believe that having a strong support system of peers, mentors, and even friends who understand your journey can keep you motivated during tough times. Success requires resilience, and resilience is easier to maintain when you’re not alone.
When you’re surrounded by high achievers, it forces you to elevate your game. When I started out in property, I would work 3 times as many hours as the average estate agent in a week, to keep myself in the game. Having people who hold you accountable ensures that you stay focused and push yourself. A strong team doesn’t let you settle for mediocrity—they challenge you to aim higher. They challenge you to always deliver.
A lot of my biggest business opportunities to date have come from relationships, not luck. Whether it’s finding investors, attracting top talent, or securing big deals, it all comes down to who you know and how well you leverage those connections, and expanding your network can be as simple as getting out there and making yourself known.
How to Build the Right Circle
If you’re serious about success, think carefully about the people you allow into your inner circle. Here’s how:
Final Thoughts
No successful entrepreneur gets to the top alone. It takes a village of advisors, colleagues, employees, and supporters to build something truly great. If you’re serious about achieving your biggest dreams, start by surrounding yourself with people who will lift you up, challenge you, and help you grow. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for my Elders – the mentors I’m still lucky enough to call my friends some twenty years later after we first met. How they have shaped me has been instrumental in my role as a mentor.
If you’re seeking a business mentor in Liverpool to help guide you, then contact me today and let me help you on your journey to success.
