Being the Executive Director of the National Crowdfunding Association is a great privilege. It is a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, though also highly time consuming, stressful at times and certainly challenging. But I love it. It is the PEOPLE who make it so amazing. I just got off the phone with yet another new member of the NLCFA who is looking to get involved on a committee or initiative and help shape this industry. That kind of conversation happens at least twice a day.
For so many of us it isn't about being ahead of the curve, it is about creating the curve. In order to do that, we need a great team of people with hopefully different skill sets and knowledge, and all willing to do the work. And we do. Thus we are greatly benefited by our deep bench of eager volunteers.
I came across the below blog entry today, The 6 People You Need in Your Corner, by Jessica Hagy, on FORBES. (Original posted here.) I couldn't agree more. It helps tremendously when we realize what kind of volunteer we are, but also to recognize the unique strengths offered by people with characteristics other than our own.
Where do you fit in these six? I don't think any of us are only one of them, all of them, or none of them. We are mixes, mutts of several of them. But the key is to know who you are, what the organization can look to you to bring to the 'curve making' party. (I know I am an Instigator, mixed with a Cheerleader, Connector and Example.) What are you? We need and welcome all types. I hope you have people with mixes of these six characteristics on your company/firm team too. If you don't, seek them out. Some of us are more of a pain than others, but all are vitally important.
The 6 People You Need in Your Corner
Jessica Hagy, FORBES Contributor
Nothing incredible is accomplished alone. You need others to help you, and you need to help others. With the right team, you can form a web of connections to make the seemingly impossible practically inevitable.
The Instigator:
Someone who pushes you, who makes you think. Who motivates you to get up and go, and try, and make things happen. You want to keep this person energized, and enthusiastic. This is the voice of inspiration.
The Cheerleader:
This person is a huge fan, a strong supporter, and a rabid evangelist for you and your work. Work to make this person rewarded, to keep them engaged. This is the voice of motivation.
The Doubter:
This is the devil’s advocate, who asks the hard questions and sees problems before they arise. You need this person’s perspective. They are looking out for you, and want you to be as safe as you are successful. This is the voice of reason.
The Taskmaster:
This is the loud and belligerent voice that demands you gets things done. This person is the steward of momentum, making sure deadlines are met and goals are reached. This is the voice of progress.
The Connector:
This person can help you find new avenues and new allies. This person breaks through roadblocks into finds ways to make magic happen. You need this person to reach people and places you can’t. This is the voice of cooperation and community.
The Example:
This is your mentor, you hero, your North Star. This is the person who you seek to emulate. This is your guiding entity, someone whose presence acts as a constant reminder that you, too, can do amazing things. You want to make this person proud. This is the voice of true authority.
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