Lesson #5 - Keep Your Circle Small
Fail to embrace these, and you risk falling behind!
Sponsored by Bellwether, Simplesat.io and Nexlytix
Ok, yes, we are finally finishing this Five part series.
RECAP
Part I. Community Over Isolation: They seek connection and accountability through leadership communities, knowing they can’t solve everything alone.
Part II. Commitment to Coaching: They view coaching as a catalyst for growth, not a sign of weakness, and use it to unlock their next level.
Part III. Deep Self-Awareness: They look inward, questioning the behaviors and patterns that shape their leadership.
Part IV. Transformation Over Management: They focus on driving meaningful change rather than simply managing the status quo.
A Curated Circle: The Right People in Your Corner
Leadership Lesson #5: Keep Your Circle Small
Before we jump into today's lesson, if you missed the first four, here’s the short version - we talked about:
Why real leadership growth doesn’t happen in isolation (you need a community)
Why coaching is a catalyst for your next level (not a crutch)
Why deep self-awareness is your leadership superpower (not a luxury)
Why real leaders transform themselves first before trying to transform their teams.
Now, onto something I wish I had learned a lot earlier:
Your circle has to get smaller if you want your leadership to get stronger.
For most of my retail career, I thought the goal was to know more people.
Build a bigger network.
Shake more hands, collect more business cards, get invited to more rooms.
While these are important. They shouldn’t over shadow the fact that when the pressure mounted - I mean real pressure - I didn’t need more people. I needed the right ones.
That’s the leadership shift few talk about.
A curated circle!
A circle to protect your energy, wisdom, and provide the accountability you need to keep growing.
If you don’t take anything else away from this topic - please remember this:
The higher you rise, the smaller your circle should get—not because you think you’re better than anyone else, but because you’re stewarding something bigger: yourself, your vision, your clarity, your impact.
The wrong circle drains it.
The right circle sharpens it.
Let’s break down why being intentional with who you let in is a vital leadership survival skill.
Keep Your Circle Small ⭕️
I spent over 27 years in retail and now I help the same executives and teams deal with the unspoken daily challenges of leadership.
I coach and teach them - if you want to lead at the highest level, you need to be fiercely intentional about who you let into your circle.
Because leadership isn’t just isolating, it’s also vulnerable.
The pressure to make decisions and have a deeper level of knowledge on vital things can create emotional and mental distance.
You begin to feel like no one understands me. No one…
But the reality is the people closest to you can either elevate your thinking or anchor you to mediocrity. Pay attention to the signs.
Are you surrounded by “yes people” who rarely challenge you? Are you the only one bringing innovative ideas or taking risks in your circle? If so, it’s time to reevaluate who’s in your corner.
Too often, especially in this social media frenzy we are in - too many leaders build their networks for quantity.
They should be focused on Quality. They actively seek out relationships that make them uncomfortable in the best way. Relationships that push them to confront blind spots, question assumptions, and think critically about their next steps. They avoid the trap of surrounding themselves with people who prioritize loyalty over honesty or who lack the capacity to understand the complexity of their leadership challenges.
Watch for this: Are your conversations about potential and strategy, or do they often lean into venting and complacency? Are the people around you striving for their own growth, or are they content with staying where they are?
At Worthy Retail Global, we see this transformation every day through The Campus and our coaching/training programs. Leaders who keep their circles small but intentionally powerful, by design - engage with peers and mentors who “get it”-experience breakthroughs that redefine how they lead. They learn to tackle persistent challenges with fresh perspectives, refine their strategies with sharper thinking, and find renewed energy from shared insights with people who truly understand their journey.
The truth is, if you’re the smartest or most experienced person in your circle, you’ve outgrown it.
So, ask yourself: Who’s in your circle? Are they pushing you forward or holding you back? And if your answer isn’t what you hoped, maybe it’s time to find a circle that truly helps you lead at your best.
Stay intentional and I will see you at the top!
Approachability isn’t soft—it’s a leadership edge.
Most leaders think they’re approachable. Fewer actually are. In this conversation on The Leadership Code, I break down why approachability is really about presence, trust, and creating space for truth—especially when the stakes are high.
We dig into:
The S.M.I.L.E. Framework™ for building trust without losing performance
How to lead former peers and manage up without hurting credibility
What self-awareness and mindful listening look like in real life
If you want to lead with both strength and humility, this one’s worth a listen.
Most leaders are tired of being unseen, passed over, or just plain neglected. A high percentage of leaders want to grow and desire to be developed at a higher level.
However, their company only provides them with the resources and content relevant to their company.
This creates a generation of limited, boxed-in leaders with narrow leadership perspectives. As a result, they are unable to explore new ideas and methodologies that could propel them and their teams forward.
Here’s the thing: leadership is not one-size-fits-all.
True growth happens when leaders are exposed to diverse perspectives, cutting-edge practices, and a supportive community that challenges them to think outside the box.
It’s about breaking free from the confines of conventional corporate training and embracing a holistic approach to leadership development.
So, what’s missing from the puzzle?
Custom, relevant coaching and training that considers you and your schedule.
We develop leaders who deliver results now and know how to navigate the unknown—leaders who can adapt, decide, and set direction when the playbook runs out.
If you’re ready to move beyond your current ceiling and operate at a level few ever reach, it’s time to step in.
Join us and be part of the shift that’s raising the standard for retail leadership.
📌 HOW CAN I HELP YOU? Book a Time - HERE