People to Have in Your Corner

Community Manager — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 14:32:00 GMT

When climbing the corporate ladder, people often pause to take stock of their skills, resume, and experience. When was the last time you paused and took stock of the people around you?

Are You Good for Me?

A recent Inc.com article with the eye-catching headline 9 People You Must Remove From Your Inner Circle takes a look at the personality types that are best weeded out of your life. Obvious gotta-go types include backstabbers and schmoozers, who value surface connection over deeper relationships. Less obvious sorts are "raving fans" - those individuals who lavish excessive and unconditional praise on you at the expense of honest and unvarnished truths.

So if certain people are best to avoid at work (and in life) who are the people that you should have in your corner?

Team Me

Any quarterback will tell you, you need a team to move a ball forward. Very little in life is accomplished entirely on one's own: so look to partner with the right people. Not sure who should be on your roster? You can't go wrong with the folks in this Forbes.com article, The 6 People You Need In Your Corner, says contributor Jessica Hagy. Create an inner circle that includes the following:

Instigator: Count on this person to poke and prod you (aka motivate) to get up, get going and try new things. Together, you create positive energy.
Cheerleader: We all need someone who will toot our horn. Find an evangelist that will sing your praises loudly and often.
Doubter: This voice of reason offers needed perspective and helps you identify obstacles and roadblocks.
Taskmaster: Drill sergeants have their place; find someone who will keep your feet to the fire.
Connector: Share the love and spread the network; your connector hooks you up!
Example: We all need a mentor that we can use as a model. Find someone you admire and emulate them.

Beyond Folders : mentoring, work conflicts

People to Have in Your Corner