Here’s a simple thought experiment: Imagine all the different personalities in your downline.

Some will be aggressive and love aggression in themselves and others.

Some will be extra polite and value politeness in others.

Some will prioritize earning the big bucks.

Others will value being of service, trusting that the $$$$ will follow.

Now imagine you have to develop a leadership style that attracts all of these (plus many more) – so they all want to follow you.

Can you imagine feeling a little crazy?

Folks who endeavor to please everybody always get stuck. Their self-esteem, worthiness and lovability depend on being accepted and validated. Take this to an extreme and imagine living a life so carefully that few people will know you’re dead when you make your final MLM purchase! So, let’s get one concept out of the way.

Whoever you are as a leader, you will never attract everyone.

There has never been a political, religious, military or corporate leader that everyone wants to follow.

Become who you aspire to become and you will attract those who have similar values. That’s an easier article to write. And an easier way for you to live. Because it starts with you instead of thinking about what others might want from you.

Let’s do another thought experiment. Think of a person in your life that has had a positive influence on you. Someone who did, said, or modeled something that has stayed with you. Think about what that influence was. And how it is manifested in your life today. I suspect the behavior they modeled represents values that are important to you today.

You can also think about negative influencers in your life that modeled values you dislike or reject today. Go a little deeper and think about characters alive today or in history that you admired or abhorred. These people will represent your values and priorities in life. To the degree you are in alignment with those values, you will feel successful.

In network marketing your greatest influence is living congruently with your values.

Why would others listen or follow you? Because you are at least a step ahead of them in being a little more congruent with how you go through life. They look up to you. They want to listen to you. Please don’t try to become someone else.

As Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.”

Your marching orders: Become someone who you would want to follow. There’s room to grow. You don’t have to know everything – list your skills and interests. Keep exploring them. Hone the skills that you're drawn to.

The good news is you don’t have to know everything to energize your downline.

If you don’t have a particular skill or approach, bring on a fellow networker and teach alongside them and you can reverse roles. Learn everything you can in the areas that interest you and who you aspire to become. Your confidence will increase. Then (if you don’t already know this) enthusiastic and confident energy is contagious. Most people are drawn to congruent positive energy. It’s magnetic. And as you continue your learning, remember there is no failure when you are pushing yourself to become better. There is only experimenting and learning.