Call it what you want, it’s not an easy road when you’re doing it all alone. There are positives and negatives to being a solo flyer. There is a lot of loneliness and uncertainty that comes with being a business owner or founder, and many need to have someone to constantly support them in their journey, but being solo suits some people just fine as well. There is a segment of entrepreneurs though, who thrive when they have support of a partner or key advisor on their team.
One recent discussion we had with a successful solo flyer was that the pressure solely remained on her when it came to everyday decisions. Something as simple as how and when to present a document for discussion, weighed heavily on her mind. She was a very experienced and capable business owner, but at that moment, she needed to bounce the idea off of another capable person. Weighing the pros and cons out before presenting the document was of utmost importance to her. Even with all her years of experience, she forgot a key point that was the clincher for her - which made her decide to hold off on the presentation. In the end, it was the right choice, and she was glad he was able to present the question to another person. In her own words, “I would not have made that same decision had it been solely up to me”.
There are other instances where a business owner is so set in their path and direction that they do not want outside influences or the hesitation of a partner or team mate to hinder their decision or force them to second guess. Again, there is no right or wrote answer here and, in that instance, they chose correctly also.
Starting and operating a business can be closely compared to being an athlete. There is intense pressure to perform, your success solely depends on the amount of time and effort you put into your craft, and in the end there are still two types of athletes, the team players and the solo flyers. The best example of both would be basketball on one end of the spectrum, and golf on the other end. Time and time again, it has been proven very clearly that a basketball player cannot achieve greatness or success on and off the court without the FULL participation of the other players on their team. Carrying the ball on your own is both arrogant and unnecessary and will surely end in failure. Golf on the other hand, plays out very differently. We can acknowledge that the best golfers in the world have coaching, mentoring and constant support, but when they are on the green, they are on their own. Both successful athletes can become legendary and be the best in their respective games, regardless of whether they are team players or not, it just comes down to which game they are playing.
So, which game are you playing and who is on your “business team”? Are you working in close collaboration with associates and partners whose advice you rely on daily, or are you able to accomplish more with support staff in the background? Regardless of the game and the support, it’s important to maintain your trajectory and path with a clear and level head, and never be afraid to ask for help. Even the best players need coaching from time to time and the best business owners will always accept and appreciate the right kind of support.
Whether it’s a basic business question, assistance in presenting or closing a big transaction or sourcing capital for the next stage of the game, The UnBankers has a deep bench of seasoned players, advisors and capital partners. Never be afraid to ask for help…sometimes it’s easier than you think to find the answers you seek.