I still remember my very first day in network marketing. I had no idea what I was doing. Everything was new and overwhelming.

All I knew was that I was determined to make it work.

Over a decade later, I've built a large, successful team and learned a ton about effective leadership along the way. Let me share some of the most important leadership lessons I've picked up in this amazing industry.

Lead with Passion

You can't inspire others if you're not inspired yourself. I go out of my way to demonstrate passion and enthusiasm every single day. My energy is contagious. When my team sees how excited I am about our products and opportunity, it motivates them to get excited, too.

I also make sure to publicly recognize and validate passion in team members when I see it. Your energy and belief in what we do is so important. Thank you for bringing such passion and heart to our team! Comments like this mean a lot.

Value Personal Development

The network marketing industry attracts people from all backgrounds and levels of education. I believe one of the most important things I can do as a leader is to motivate my team to pursue personal development.

I regularly share audiobooks, podcasts, articles, and other growth resources. I make sure to model curiosity and a commitment to learning myself. Your growth mindset is inspirational! I might say to someone who has completed a new training course. Nothing boosts confidence and performance like personal development. It's a key ingredient to success and fulfillment. I'm committed to helping my team maximize their potential.

Encourage Open Communication

As the team expands, open communication becomes even more critical. I strive to be highly approachable and make sure people feel comfortable coming to me with questions and concerns. Early on, I learned the hard way that telling people to work harder without understanding their challenges was ineffective. Now, I'm a proactive listener, identifying what people need to succeed. This creates trust and solutions.

I also model vulnerability and authenticity in my own communication. This invites others to open up, too. We're all human, after all.

Customize Support

One size does not fit all when it comes to effectively supporting and leading people. I take the time to understand how each person is wired and what motivates them, and then I tailor my leadership approach accordingly.

Some team members thrive on recognition and praise. For them, I look for every opportunity to validate their contributions publicly. Others prefer a more private thumbs up. Some need a big-picture perspective and clear vision, which I provide. Others want tactical details, which I also share. Getting to know people as individuals allows me to help each one play to their strengths.

Share the Spotlight

This business is not about me. It's about the team and what we can achieve together. That's why I am constantly promoting my team members and sharing the spotlight. When someone has a big win, I make sure to spotlight it on team calls and social media. This shows that success here is attainable for anyone, not just me.

I also invite different team members to share tips and stories on our team calls, which recognizes them as leaders. Uplifting others creates more loyalty than self-promotion. I want to build an army of leaders, not just followers.

Stay Optimistic

No matter what challenges arise, I make it a point to keep perspective and stay optimistic. Negativity is toxic to a team. I truly believe we have an amazing opportunity here. Focusing on gratitude for what we get to do keeps me energized. I strive to model that mindset.

Even when we make mistakes, I frame it as a learning opportunity, not a tragedy. There are always more people to reach and new things to try. It's easy to get discouraged if you lose sight of the big picture. As a leader, it's my job to paint that picture repeatedly so others see it, too.