All quotes are from my podcast Inter:views, Cracking The Entrepreneur Bottleneck.
In the formidable but challenging world of entrepreneurship, remember this: You can't go at it alone!
Success isn't a solo journey. It's a team effort involving everyone from your employees to clients, suppliers, and advisors. So, surround yourself with the right people, because they're often more reliable than technology.
When tech hiccups, people step in to fix it. Diversity is key—bringing in different experiences and perspectives sparks healthy debates and adds value to your company.
Internally, take time to hire not just the most skilled, but those with passion and the right attitude. Don't clone yourself; hire those who complement your strengths and weaknesses. After assembling your dream team, share your vision, trust and empower them, and let them shine.
"The most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who delegate," says Rory Galvin, the Founder of Navirum. David Carter, the Founder of Entelechy Academy adds: "Don't hire just for skills; hire somebody who fits into your team, culture, and customers."
Great leaders - and entrepreneurs are leaders by default - put others first. Brad Eisenhuth of The Outperfomer emphasizes, "Leadership is about generating motivation and inspiration in our people to move towards a future state destination."
Building a team requires understanding who the people are and growing relationships between them, according to Angela Heise, a Leadership Development Expert. Surround yourself with competent, passionate individuals who share your mission.
External help is valuable too. Humble yourself to seek advice from mentors, coaches, and fellow entrepreneurs. Learn from their experiences, avoid their mistakes, and save time on reinventing the wheel.
As Ben Johnson, the Founder of Particle41 says, "Never underestimate the power of mentors and coaches in your entrepreneurship journey."
Beware of becoming the bottleneck in your business. Break free from isolation. Mark Lachance of Maxy Media Inc. reminds us we are the average of the five people we hang around with: "If you hang around a can’t-do mindset, you will not do anything, but if you hang around a can-do mindset, you will be successful."
In conclusion, your success is intertwined with the people around you. Embrace their support, share the load, and build a thriving company together.
Only then will you avoid becoming the bottleneck in your business!
How much of the bottleneck in your business are you? Take the Bottleneck Index to find out.