Why do most wolves travel in packs? It’s because the ‘ecosystem’ of the pack provides mutual support. Responsibilities like hunting and staying safe can be shared so the load isn’t all on one animal.
We recently heard the following on the ‘top failure factors’ of startup entrepreneurs: “…there’s always so much to do for the company that it’s easy to convince yourself that you don’t need to be part of a community (or ecosystem); I’ve found that those who don’t make time to be plugged in typically fail.”
That’s a bold statement, but given the analogy of the “wolf pack” the principle is clear—if you’re part of a community you benefit from mutual and complementary strengths. On the other hand, if you go it alone, you’re completely exposed and vulnerable. No one has everything it takes to be successful on their own.
It sounds so obvious but why is it so difficult to prioritize? We’ve heard excuses like time & bandwidth (there’s always something else that’s business critical) and favoring independence instead of collaboration (that’s why they’re leaders, right?). Leaders often find that it’s not urgent... until it’s urgent (ex. the need to network for a key role, “how-to” guidance for a critical process, etc.).
So, when you’re trying to overcome your inner resistance to being plugged-in, here are a few key benefits of being part of the pack to keep in mind:
Inspiration & Learning: “Meeting with other leaders gave me new wind in my sails!” Leadership is often a lonely road so it’s important to have a place where you’re encouraged, can get fresh ideas, and get a ‘second wind’ to keep moving forward.
Problem Solving: “I appreciated hearing how other people are handling a certain challenge (ex. hiring, culture).” Having a safe place to share problems, get an “outside-in” view, and hear the practical experiences of others is priceless.
Benchmarking: “It was great to be able to compare how we do it to how others do it (ex. onboarding, financial structure).” Comparison in a non-competitive environment helps challenge paradigms and see the next level of performance.
Resources: “Because of my connection to this group, I was able to find the key resource that I needed.” Ecosystems are a way to share learnings and resources (ex. clients, suppliers, potential hires, advice, etc.)
As you consider these benefits, remember that it’s a two-way street. You’re not just the recipient of all the benefits – you actively must give in order to get.
If you’re trying to find a community like this, please reach out to us. Over the years we’ve been able to bring together a wide spectrum of diverse companies that have unlocked tremendous value in learning from each other. We’d love to help you plug in to the right ‘pack’!
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