By Neil Phillips.

Do you ever feel like you just can’t quite breakthrough that next level in your business? That next promotion always seems just outside your reach, no matter how hard you work?

Imagine that your team is inside a giant trashcan, and you are the lid. They are jumping to reach higher, but your leadership level is holding them back.  John Maxwell’s Law of the Lid says that your leadership ability is the lid that determines your level of effectiveness.  If you have grown your leadership skills to a six on a scale of 1 to 10, your team won’t grow beyond a 5.  Promotions often come when we lead others to tremendous success. If you want more leaders, you must become a leader of leaders. To take your business to the next level, you must do more than sell and recruit.  You need to see yourself as a developer of leaders.  Your team will grow as you do. Consider these questions to discover the lids that are holding you back.

  • Do I believe that every person has the potential to be a leader?
  • What am I afraid to do?
  • What do I see other leaders doing that I am not doing?
  • What is frustrating to my up-and-coming leaders? (Hint: if they are struggling with an issue, you may be, too.)
  • Who do I trust enough to give me honest feedback about my leadership?

Are the light bulbs going off? Try answering these questions to create a plan to grow your leadership ability and raise your leadership lid!

  • Who do I admire as a leader? How can I be more like them?
  • Where can I learn to be a better leader?
  • Who can teach me the skills I just identified?
  • Do I need help in breaking through my obstacles? Consider hiring a coach for this one!

Congratulations, you have just identified the obstacles to your promotion; taking just one step to grow your leadership will develop your people, too. Are you feeling brave? If so, please share your awareness and your learning action step below. Speaking it out loud to the world will significantly increase your commitment to making it happen! Come back and share your success, too. I am eager to celebrate with you!

Want to learn more about getting team members promoted?

Being a leader is more than managing sales and recruiting. Being a leader tests your self-concept and relationship skills. The Direct Selling Leaders Network is the Facebook group known as a safe place to share questions and answers about growing your business. Leaders are curious. This is a great group to find out some answers.

The Direct Selling Leaders’ Network is the Facebook group for leaders like you. This social learning community is the premier online community for direct selling leaders, future leaders, and those who want to create their future. Leadership is a way of life, not just a position. Join us as we add new FREE content every week! Recruiting, Getting Your Team to Work, and Tips on Working Smarter, Not Harder. NOT A MEMBER? Please join some of the best leaders in direct sales.