/ Monday Motivation

I thought I knew it all

By: Christian Banach

I thought I knew it all.

I never thought I needed a mentor.

I knew who I was.

I’m a successful business owner.

But then the Great Recession happened.

My business collapsed.

During this time, I began watching others.

I noticed something.

Not everyone was like me.

I’m strategic.

I take a deliberate and methodical approach, whereas others “ready, fire, aim.”

I saw colleagues successful with this approach.

It angered me.

How is it that I did everything “right,” and was out of business?

And they were doing everything “wrong” and were thriving?

Soon, I realized that there isn’t right or wrong.

It isn’t that black and white.

I was missing a diverse perspective.

I needed an objective third party.

But I didn’t have a mentor.

So I created an “invisible council” of leaders, dead and alive, I admired and sought to emulate.

As I experienced challenges, I invited ‘experts’ from diverse backgrounds to my imaginary boardroom.

I asked, what do I think each would do in this situation?

What advice would each give?

The exercise got me out of my echo chamber.

I take the best qualities of those I admire and put them into practice.

I invite you to do the same.

But there’s a rule.

Your council must push you to see different perspectives and be your best version of yourself.

The Easiest Person To Deceive Is One's Self

Christian Banach
Christian Banach is a business development expert who helps agencies and consultancies land 6- and 7-figure opportunities predictably. With 20+ years of experience—including growing his firm and working with brands like Disney, Toyota, Kohl’s, and Constellation Brands—Christian now empowers clients to attract and close more deals through proven strategies and Relationship-Making™. Connect on LinkedIn

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