James and Megan are continuing their series on Growing and Thriving. The last episode discussed the importance of continuing to develop ourselves. Now they take the focus off of ourselves and look at our need to help grow the people around us.

The topic: Helping Others Grow!

Why should we care about helping others grow?:

• If you are in business for yourself, the chances are good that you started your business because you saw a need and knew you could help meet that need. At the heart of being an entrepreneur is helping others.
• Zig Ziglar famously said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
• Business is about serving and helping others.
• By helping others grow, you grow and learn. And so will your business.

What does helping others grow look like?:

• Sometimes it’s a simple as providing a service for your customers. Other times it could be getting your customers to the point where they don’t need you any more.
• As a business owner you are also a leader. We also need to help the people on our teams grow in order for the business to be able to grow. Identifying their strengths and weaknesses, mentoring them, investing in them, coaching them, and more.

How can you help others grow?:

• First, lead by example. If you are not willing and actively engaged in growth yourself, it will be hard to encourage others to grow. You can’t force it.
• Sometimes that may even be letting people go in order for them to grow.  You may be limiting their ability, or they may just not fit on your team.
• In terms of customers, you have to let people know you’re available to help. You can’t just hang a shingle or get a .com and expect them to find you. Market yourself. Ask for the sale. If you have a mindset of service and growth, this will be more natural. Be clear on who you’re targeting and how you will help them. Focus on the benefits to them, not just the features or functions of what you’re providing.
• Get your attention off of yourself and help others. You will end up learning in the process.

Action Steps:

1. Identify who you want to help and how. Define your avatar or ideal client. Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port is a great place to start.
2. Learn to ask for the sale based on a growth mindset. Get a sales coach if this is a difficult area. Check out the incredible Pierce Marrs and his Sales Moment podcast.
3. Find at least one person to mentor (on your team or elsewhere).

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