The tough form councils.

How did Tom Hanks do it? In Castaway, he extracted one of his own abscessed teeth with the blade of an ice skate, he was a sole hunterer/gatherer, and he managed to live a really long time (you win a free slurpee if you guess how many years)  on a deserted, albeit gorgeous island, while somehow maintaining his sanity and his fighting (and creative) spirit.

I, on the other hand, have been working on the birth of another company – a relataively safe venture comparably. I would argue, though, that on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Tom H. and I share a similar placing…. we’re both bottom feeders in that regard. I just have easier access to an In ‘N Out cheeseburger.

Anyway, during a moment of weakness, during one of those days when I was wondering was the hell I was doing starting another organization, my friend and mentor said, “You need a council, Tanya. You need help.”

It was in that moment that I had a brief bit o’ clarity. Here  I am, creating an organization that provides the means for others to band together for support in realizing their toughest ambitions, and I was going at it on my own – just solo. Typical.

So, I followed her advice and reached out. And surprisingly, the response was loud and enthusiastic. Even more surprising, and incredible, is that none of these team members are PAID. They are volunteering to help me build this company for nothing. They spend extra hours, working with other women, all of whom are separated by thousands of miles, to create things that will build an even more powerful, influential organization.

I realize now they are getting much in return for their efforts. They’ve had to remind me a thousand times. (Girls, if you’re reading this, i’m working hard to make sure you’re official one day!)

But in this experience, I’m also reminded of the power of engaged and enthusiastic teams.

Leaders can put a list of job descriptions together, list a bunch of necessary skills and behaviors to realize specific business objectives, but without engaged, willing, enthusiastic people, you’ll always settle for mediocrity – at best.

Watch us grow — GOTRIbal(TM).  www.gotribalnow.com

ANd read about us in Triathlete Mag: http://triathlon.competitor.com/features/triathlon-networking-organization-strives-to-empower-women.html

Onward and upward!