Who’s in Your Corner? Building the Leadership Support Network You Need

Princes Cullum
Aug 11
2 min read

Tips and Sips

Picture this: a boxer in the ring, gloves up, sweat dripping, eyes locked on the next round. In her corner? A trusted coach. Someone handing her water, giving clear, actionable advice, and reminding her of her training.

That’s leadership at its best. Not because it’s a fight — but because even the strongest leaders need someone in their corner.

Leadership Is Not a Solo Sport

There’s a dangerous myth in leadership: that if you’re strong, capable, and determined enough, you can go it alone. The truth? The higher you go, the more you need the right people around you — people who will both champion you and challenge you.

A 2019 article written by Kayla Driessen states that researchers found “women with a high network centrality and a female-dominated inner circle have an expected job placement level that is 2.5 times greater than women with low network centrality and a male-dominated inner circle”, so the more women in your corner, the higher you could potentially go. Talk about girl power!

The Roles Every Leader Needs

In my experience, the most successful leaders have a mix of 3 people in their corner:

Mentors — Those with wisdom from walking the path before you.
Sponsors — Those who advocate for you when you’re not in the room.
Peers — Those who understand the unique pressures you face and can hold you accountable.

Each plays a different role in your growth, and each adds a layer of support you can’t build alone.

How the CEO of You® Academy Builds This Network for You

One of my favorite aspects of the Academy is that we don’t just throw people into a group and wish them well. We intentionally assign each participant a mentor who’s been where they are and knows how to guide them through the next phase. These mentors are here to give you tips, perspective, and yes — sometimes that sip of water you need to keep going for the next round.

On top of that, you’ll gain a cohort of peers who often become natural accountability partners and lifelong friends.

Check out some of our amazing mentors here.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

In times of change, uncertainty, or growth, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one navigating uncharted waters. But with the right people in your corner, you realize — you’re never actually alone in the ring.

Final Reflection

So, who’s in your corner? And if you can’t answer that, isn’t it time you found out?

The CEO of You® Academy was designed to give leaders not just tools, but people — real relationships that can sustain you through the challenges ahead. Registration closes August 15th, and seats are filling quickly. Join us and step into the ring with the right team beside you.

Source:

Driessen, Kayla. “Most Successful Women Surround Themselves with Other Women.” Northwestern Now, Northwestern University, Jan. 22, 2019 https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2019/01/most-successful-women-surround-themselves-with-other-women/.