How a Magical Sisterhood
Can Speed Up Your Success

Why not create a magical sisterhood of women who think you are terrific and want to help you succeed? Think that’s a preposterous notion? Not in the least. Choose successful role models you can think of, women you admire. Begin with women who already know you, even if you haven’t communicated in a long time or don’t know them well. If you are a business owner, of course you would choose other business owners or women familiar with business through their jobs.

The women you choose don’t have to be all local. They can be sprinkled around the state or in other states. Some of them could even be authors in this very e-zine that you read regularly and write to. (Hint: writers LOVE getting a note from readers.)

Be very clear about what you need and why you are asking them. It should be something easy for them to give, drawing from their expertise or contact base. If you are a business owner, showing these mentors your mission statement or a simple outline of your business plan would be a good way of getting suggestions for action steps, referrals, or changes you should consider.

If you are an employee, advocates outside of the company could make valuable suggestions for how to create your career path.

One woman I know created her own support team for finding the ideal job. She invited them to a covered dish dinner at her house, showed them a “treasure map” of what she loved and how she wanted to relate to people with her skills, then took their suggestions and recommendations. The entire support team kept their ears open for her in the workplace, looking for possibilities.

This process has been invaluable to me recently as I have reinvented my business, choosing a new focus and a new market. I began with a simple outline consisting of my purpose, mission statement, the markets I was serving, and my passionate volunteer work. The first woman I contacted was a business owner who had been in my audience several years ago. I admired her gumption to be a whistle blower regarding our local housing authority’s unethical practices and called her just to thank her for being involved. She offered to help me “in any way she could.”

When we met for coffee, her excitement over the purpose and passion in my business plan gave me valuable encouragement. Although her suggestion was not one that would bring the result I needed, her excitement carried me for days. She told me stories that connected her life with the values important to me, thus became a “sister” I knew I wanted to stay in touch with.

After reading Never Eat Alone by networking guru Keith Ferazzi*, I began to explore my database. So many names had been entered years ago. I found a woman who belonged to my professional association. We had not talked for six years.

“Cindy,” I spoke into her answering machine, “I’m just calling to say hello. I always feel good when I think about you.”

That night, my phone rang. It was Cindy. My message had greeted her the very first day in her apartment … her new dwelling after leaving a husband of 30 years! Did she need a friend? You betcha! Cindy was thrilled to help me, and spent an entire afternoon mentoring me, giving me resources and pieces of “structure” for my new direction.

The women continued to magically show up as I searched my database: one, then another. My feelings of appreciation grew … I knew that I would want to give back to them in a special way after I became situated in my new career direction.

I gave my group a special name and made up a title for each member based on her strength. I told them a little about each other and created group entry in my Outlook. The group includes eight women at this time, but that could increase.

It is important to give little presents and write thank-you notes to express your appreciation for valuable support. I find myself thinking about resources they might appreciate, or people I could introduce them to for their own networking.

My ultimate gift to these incredible women will be an invitation to a creative event in which they get to receive their titles and meet each other! Even the woman in Nashville has ties to this area. Cindy is not too far away and can stay at my house. The logistics will fall into place easily. There will be some power networking and great laughs, I'm sure.

Sisterhood is a powerful thing … and happens as we respect, support, and give to each other. Try it. Create your own sisterhood and relish in the wisdom of glorious women as you soar. But remember, you must pass it on!