As someone with years of experience working as a senior executive in the corporate world, one of the most important lessons I quickly learned is that not everyone will be on my side.
Not to be overly pessimistic, but people are inherently driven by their own motivations, especially when their money and reputation are on the line.
Because of this, it is often difficult to see what people truly stand for. Throughout my professional career, I frequently asked myself, “is this person agreeing with me because they are genuinely on my side, or do they just want something out of me?”
In an industry that seems extremely transactional, I began managing my relationships through the lens of the stakeholder line.
The stakeholder line makes it easy to visualize and evaluate those around you, based on their true intentions and how they affect you.
On the left is the person that most wants you to succeed. They unconditionally support you and believe in you.
Expand your network of people on the left side by being a collaborative team member and learning how to put others first strategically. While doing so, keep these people engaged in your success by utilizing them as part of your personal investment committee.
Always remember to put yourself on the left, making sure you believe in your own journey to success
On the far right is the person who blatantly or secretly doesn’t want you to succeed. This might be stemming from jealousy or some kind of negativity that surrounds your relationship with them.
These people don’t have to be those personally attacking you or undermining you. However, remember that if they want you to fail, they will keep it subtle. Don’t try to pull these people from the right; just identify them and don’t let them get in your way of success.
I know it’s unfortunate there are people on the right, but the truth is that these people will always exist. By identifying them, we start to neutralize them.
Surprise, I’m the person on the far most left.
I believe in you 100%. Your success is my success. My goal is to invest as much as I can in you.
I don’t doubt your abilities, I don’t criticize you in my head, and I never imagine you’re an imposter.
Visualizing relationships through the lens of the stakeholder line allows you to see where your fears exist on your line, and how you should react to it. This then dictates how you’re going to interface with them to address your problems.
You owe it to yourself to stand with me on your line! Who else is on your stakeholder line and how can we tip the balance to the left?
