Support Systems, Part Two

In her Harvard Business Review article, “You Can’t Achieve Your Goals Without the Right Support,” Amy Jen Su suggests defining the type of support roles a leader might need. 

In Su’s paradigm, there is The Expert, who can offer experience and best practices around topics we are currently facing, and The Sausage Maker, who we can brainstorm with at a devils-in-the-details level.

There is a tell-it-like-it-is accountability partner she calls The Mirror, as well as The Role Player, who can help us refine our communications.

And on the personal end of the spectrum, The Cheerleader, who will acknowledge our efforts and affirm our value, and The Safe Harbor, with whom we can let down our walls and freely share our ideas. 

It’s a helpful piece that allowed me to see a flaw in my own method of building a support system:

Different people in our lives have different roles to play in supporting us.

It’s easy to become frustrated with a Cheerleader when what we really need is a Mirror. 

Also, there may be a particular role that is completely missing from your life at the moment.

I would relish someone to brainstorm various strategies with, but no one in my current network fits the bill. 

So the reflection continues - what kind of support roles do I need in both my life and my business?