Why You Need A Support Network and How To Build It

There is a famous quote by Arthur Ashe that goes, “success is a journey, not a  destination… .”

While this piece of advice is 100% true, I think we should add another layer to this quote to make it more reflective of the entrepreneurial experience.  That layer is this:

Success is a journey, not a destination, and the relationships you form on that journey will determine how long you stay on the path.  

The entrepreneurial journey begins with a giant leap into the unknown. Then, to stay in the game, entrepreneurs must continue to take personal and professional leaps every day.  We are continually pushing ourselves and our businesses into new territories. This process breaks down boundaries, generates ideas, and creates innovations that have the potential to change the world.

However, business innovations do not happen without feedback and support.  Entrepreneurs need allies to help them navigate their blind spots and encourage them when it seems like all hope is lost.

Because of this, the most crucial aspect of business building is relationships. You need a network of people who can hold space for your dreams if you want to continue down the path of success.

Holding Space

Holding space is a spiritual term.  It does not mean that supporters are people who come in and solve all of your problems (although sometimes they do).  Holding space means that your supporters are willing to walk alongside you in your entrepreneurial journey without judgment, making you feel inadequate, or trying to impact the outcome.  Instead, your allies open their hearts, let go of judgment and control, and offer unconditional support. They hold up the dream of what your business and life could be when you aren’t sure that you can keep carrying that dream yourself.  

How To Find Supporters

Your business allies can take many forms from a peer with whom you brainstorm ideas to a mentor who can provide sound advice.  The type of supporter does not matter as much as their intention. So here’s what to look for when building a support network for your business:

Safety

To express yourself openly and honestly, you must feel safe enough to do so.  So when you are identifying a business ally ask yourself if you feel safe. The right supporter for you will make you feel secure enough to let down your defenses and be vulnerable. Your ally also should be non-judgmental, compassionate, and empathetic.  They will understand that at the moment when you are expressing your fears, suffering or grief, their opinions about how you got there are unhelpful and irrelevant.

Suspended Self Importance

Can you tell this person a story without them chiming in about how much better they handled a similar situation or redirecting all of the attention toward themselves?  A vitally important aspect of holding space is your supporter understanding that it’s not about them. You want someone who can set aside their ego and actively listen without competing against you.

Attention

They say our attention spans are now shorter than that of a goldfish.  While that may be true, you need a supporter who is willing to give you their complete attention anyway.  This goes back to the safety concern. We need to feel seen and heard to open up fully and receive the benefits of our relationships.  So look for supporters who are willing to give you the attention you need.

Do you have a support network for your business? Why or why not? Let me know your thoughts on supporters and hold space in the comments below.