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Date: February 8, 2025

How to Mobilize Influencers for Your Career Growth: The Leadership Champion Framework

posted in Business Coaching

Adam Kreek

Who are the hidden influencers guiding your success, and how can you leverage them?

In today's world, it's not just what you know; it's who you know and how you leverage those relationships. Building a solid network is essential for career success, and the "Leadership Champion Framework" provides a playbook for connecting with four types of crucial influencers: Mavens, Salespeople, Connectors, and Transactors. Each type plays a different role in your network, and understanding how to position yourself with them will give you a serious edge.

Clients I coach often use this framework to identify key individuals in their organization, industry or network and consciously use these archetypes to approach them more effectively. Have you identified critical people in your network who can help you succeed in your career?

If so, let’s dive into how to work with each type of influencer to ensure you approach them correctly to gain more momentum in your career, business and leadership evolution:

1. Mavens: The Knowledge Keepers

Owl – Just like the wise owl, mavens gather knowledge and offer value through their expertise. They observe, analyze, and share wisdom.

Mavens are the go-to experts in their field. They know the ins and outs of complex topics and are more introverted by nature. People seek them out for their wisdom, not for small talk. Mavens help us know what we need to know.

To leverage mavens, position yourself as someone who can offer them a new perspective or valuable information. These folks respect expertise, so you need to show that you’re in the same intellectual league, while also respecting their boundaries. Provide useful insights without overwhelming them with chatter, and make sure your interactions are respectful and efficient.

How to connect with Mavens:

Share resources that will genuinely help them expand their knowledge.
Ask insightful questions that spark their curiosity.
Show that you value their time—keep it concise and meaningful.

It’s like having a library of human knowledge at your disposal. Just don’t overdue the book fees—Mavens prefer to avoid small talk fines.

2. Salespeople: The Enthusiasts

Dolphin – Dolphins are playful, engaging, and able to excite a crowd, much like how salespeople keep everyone informed and enthusiastic about a vision.

Salespeople are the high-energy, extroverted champions who love building connections and promoting ideas. If they believe in you, they'll promote your work like it’s their own. They bring excitement and momentum to your goals.

When dealing with Salespeople, emphasize your passion and vision. These influencers love a good story and get energized by ambition. Keep regular contact with them and make sure you’re staying on their radar. Salespeople will go to bat for you, but they need to know what game you're playing!

How to connect with Salespeople:

Keep them updated on your wins and goals.
Make them feel part of your journey—let them cheer you on.
Build a relationship based on shared excitement and energy.

Salespeople are like golden retrievers. If you throw them a ball (a vision), they’ll run with it and bring back opportunities!

3. Connectors: The Network Powerhouses

Spider – Spiders weave intricate webs, connecting various points, much like connectors who bring people together and build valuable networks.

Connectors are the masters of relationships. They aren't just well-networked—they're intentional about it. These people see the value in connecting others and understand the power of trust. They act as bridges between people and ideas, making them pivotal in amplifying your influence.

Position yourself with Connectors by showing them that you value their network as much as they do. Highlight how your relationship can be mutually beneficial, and most importantly, show that you are trustworthy. In their world, reputation is everything, and they’ll only introduce you to others if they know you're solid.

How to connect with Connectors:

Foster genuine, trust-based relationships.
Be intentional with your asks—don’t waste their connections on trivial requests.
Show that you can also bring value to their network by making introductions.

It’s like they own the social version of a stock exchange. Invest in their trust and you’ll get high returns in the form of connections.

4. Transactors: The Deal Makers

Hawk – Hawks are sharp, focused, and precise, much like transactors who seek mutual benefits and go directly for the target.

Transactors are in it for the quid pro quo. They see the world through the lens of self-interest and are looking for opportunities that boost their earnings, influence, or status. These individuals thrive in environments where everyone knows what they want and what they’re getting out of the deal.

Be straightforward with Transactors. You don’t have to woo them with inspiration or long-winded conversations. Show them how partnering with you will directly benefit them. Whether it's a boost in status, income, or influence, make it clear that working together is a win-win.

How to connect with Transactors:

Be direct about what you can offer them.
Make sure the value exchange is clear.
Keep the relationship transactional and efficient—no fluff required.

Transactors are like vending machines—you’ve got to know what to put in to get what you want out.

Final Thoughts: Your Personal Leadership Framework

You might be asking yourself, “How do I know who’s who in my network?” It starts with understanding people’s motivations. As you identify Mavens, Salespeople, Connectors, and Transactors in your career path, adapt your approach to engage them effectively. Each has their role, and when you position yourself as someone valuable to their network, you’ll find your own influence growing exponentially.

To summarize:

Mavens: Respect their knowledge, offer value through expertise.
Salespeople: Keep them excited and informed about your vision.
Connectors: Build trust and add value to their network.
Transactors: Be clear and direct about mutual benefits.

By mastering these four relationships, you’ll create a solid leadership network that amplifies your career and drives your success. Just don’t forget to send them a thank-you note after you cross the finish line (or at least a coffee)!

Through my coaching and consulting, I help executives increase team engagement, improve decision-making, and scale profitable growth, even in the most challenging environments. I know the power of a good crew. You need each person pulling their weight, and if you align them right, they’ll carry you across any finish line, storm or no storm.

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