By Jeff Bell
Some promising candidates baulk at joining Band of Leaders Australia. They may say they don’t have the time, or the money.
Let’s put those to bed, then the most common others that I have heard in almost 20 years of chairing:
- “I can’t make the time to be in BOLA.”
We agree that your time is precious. But we all have 168 hours each week—the question is: how do we choose to spend that time? We aren’t in BOLA because we are bored or aimless. We are highly productive and intentional in how we invest our time.
BOLA doesn’t take time—it promotes the best use of our time, on our most important tasks and relationships.
2. “I’m too busy in my business.”
BOLA members report that spending time on their business, rather than in their business, with a group of peers, makes them far more effective leaders.
In BOLA, we concentrate on doing more in less time.
3. “I can’t afford BOLA.”
What is your budget for your own professional development? Surely it’s not zero? You must be willing to invest in your own growth as a leader. If your budget allows, BOLA may be your very best alternative.
BOLA members do it for the ROI.
4. “No, really: I have no cash. We’re on the bones of our behinds.”
Well, we’re sorry about that. But if you want to discuss getting out of your squeeze, call Jeff at BOLA for a free session.
BOLA members need to have the wherewithal to fund their productive change.
5. “I need to wait until I get over this hump (or project, or initiative, or fiscal quarter…).”
Anyone who thinks “I’ll have more time after I get over this hump,” is deluded. There is always another hump to follow this hump. Excuse the double-entendre, but were you humping 24 months ago? 12 months ago? If so, humping is not the cure for humping.
We wish that we had joined BOLA earlier.
6. “I have a peer group.”
Is that peer group highly functioning? Can you discuss anything? Do you have a problem-solving methodology? Do you come up with brilliant options? Do you hold each other accountable? Is there high trust? Does your group have a dedicated Chair?
A BOLA group has all of these. Our meetings are highly productive—and we learn new ways of leading.
7. “I have an executive coach.”
In BOLA, each coaching session will flush out your ideas and options, and then may be put to the additional test of the group. Peers hold one another accountable in the most profound way.
The coaching and peer group combination in BOLA maximise the growth of each member.
8. “I have an advisory board.”
You doubtlessly have friends, trusted advisors, a spouse and mates. They all give you advice. But each of these has a vested interest—their love and affection for you, their desire to impress or an axe to grind. Their advice may be well-intentioned, but…
In BOLA we offer options with no vested interest. We give each other our best thinking with no strings attached.
9. “I can’t trust others with my secrets.”
What? Are you a loner? Do you think that others find someone to confide in? Can you be trusted with others’ secrets? Can you even trust yourself?
In BOLA we learn how to trust by being trustworthy. We practice sharing, confidentiality, empathy and vulnerability with strength.
10. “I can’t learn from other people.”
Is that your plan: walking alone to your grave? Some BOLA members arrive ready to learn. Others may be tentative. But they all progress from not knowing what that they don’t know to learning with others who are also doing it tough every day.
Every BOLA member will tell you: I have learned powerful lessons from everyone and every opportunity in the group.
If any of these ring true for you, let’s talk about what you want and what you need—BOLA benefits are just around the corner.
Send Jeff an email, a text or a phone call and let’s set up a meeting at no cost or obligation. See the details below.