Step 5.1: Build Your Circle of Advisors
Want to know why most people's careers stall? They're getting feedback from their echo chamber.
Your mom thinks you're perfect. Your best friends think you're crushing it. Your Instagram followers double-tap everything you post. And none of that is worth a damn when you're trying to level up.
Building your Circle of Advisors isn't about assembling a personal cheerleading squad. It's about creating your own personal board of directors – people who care enough about your success to tell you the uncomfortable truths.
Here's the blueprint to follow:
First, you need diversity of perspective:
The Industry Veteran who's seen it all
The Rising Star who's breaking all the rules
The Mentor who's walked your path
The Peer who's fighting the same battles
The Outside Voice who brings fresh eyes
The Truth Teller who never sugarcoats
The Devil's Advocate who stress-tests your thinking
The Connector who opens doors
The Coach who pushes you beyond comfort
The Friend who knows your blind spots
But here's the key: They need to be people who know you well enough to care, but not so close they can't be objective. Your spouse might be your biggest supporter, but they're probably too invested to give you the unvarnished truth about your professional narrative.
Here are the selection criteria I recommend:
Do they have the experience to validate your thinking?
Will they risk the relationship to tell you the truth?
Do they understand both who you are and who you could be?
Can they spot the difference between your authentic self and your comfort zone?
Will they call you out when you're playing small?
Can they call bullshit on you?
This isn't about building a network. It's about building a brain trust. These aren't people you hit up for favors or LinkedIn recommendations. These are people who help you see around corners, challenge your assumptions, and push you toward your potential.
How to approach them:
Be specific about what you're asking for
Make it time-bound (this isn't an infinite commitment)
Offer value in return
Follow up with actions taken
Show them their impact
The magic number is 5-10. Less than that and you're not getting enough perspective. More than that and you're creating noise.
Remember: You're not looking for consensus. You're looking for insight. If all your advisors agree on everything, you've picked the wrong advisors.
This circle becomes your personal board & prototype lab – the safe space where you can test ideas, refine your story, and pressure-test your thinking before you take it to market.
Choose wisely. Because your circle of advisors isn't just shaping your story. They're shaping your future.
Make sure they're worthy of that responsibility.
Because the truth is, you don't rise to the level of your ambitions. You rise to the level of your advisors.
Choose accordingly.
For your Playbook:
Choose 5-10 people to be in your Circle of Advisors
Ask them if they’re willing to help you
Meet with them using “The Ask” from Step 04