The Power of We

By Gladys Avelar, El Salvador

I have heard countless times about the importance of team building within an organization. It’s a well-known topic for many professionals; we all recognize its significance, right? But what happens when you aren’t part of a large organization that fosters inspiration and support? It becomes a personal responsibility. As Annabel Beerel shared in her lecture “Rethinking Leadership,” we all lead our lives with every decision and action we take. This sounds obvious, but as individual leaders, how can we create a network that supports us independently of the company you are with? How do you build a personal reputation that truly reflects your essence?

I began to find answers to these questions in the first weeks of my fellowship, which has shown me the true power of “We”. This “We” involves more than just collaboration; it incorporates the essence of networking and community building. It means creating a collective of individuals who share similar visions, goals, and needs. It’s about building a network where each member contributes to, and benefits from the collective strength of the group. By working together, we can provide mutual support, share resources, and amplify each other’s impact.

I’ve read about this in books and blogs before, but what sets this experience apart is that I’ve been able to actively participate in various networking events. I’ve had one-on-one sessions with independent consultants and connected with a business owner who not only shared his workplace but went beyond that—offering his time, knowledge about artificial intelligence, and actionable recommendations to improve my website performance.

So, the big question is: Why would someone who doesn’t know me, be willing to share all of these resources?

For me, the answer lies in a common characteristic I’ve observed: people who are willing to expose themselves, be authentic, and proactive tend to have a growth mindset. The person connecting with you as a mentor, colleague, or apprentice often knows others who might become future business opportunities, sources of emotional support, or anything else you may need. To achieve results, it’s crucial to follow up and stay connected to keep those links alive…It means working on your network

Another thought to keep in mind is that we are connecting with other humans who have their own struggles. We need to be kind to each other and remember that it’s not just about business. At its core, it’s about people working to improve. The best approach is to embrace our personality, be ourselves, and, as Jillian Michaels said, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable”

I’m Gladys Avelar, a sales and marketing consultant based in El Salvador. I am proud and thankful to be part of the Professional Fellows Program, which has allowed me to relearn and connect with amazing leaders.  

Let’s be open to our own transformation process and embrace the idea of connecting globally!