The Power of Champions: Your Secret to Growth

Last night, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium (The Shoe). It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, though I wouldn't have minded warmer temperatures! The atmosphere was electric, and beyond the action on the ice, OSU celebrated championship wins across Women's Hockey, Dance, Cheerleading, and Football. Champions were everywhere.

It got me thinking about the power of champions and the roles they play in our lives.

At Vetta Sales Consulting, I speak with business professionals every day. One recurring theme is their desire to grow, whether securing new sales, earning a promotion, or pivoting to a new industry. No matter how strong your product, service, or personal brand is, growth requires advocates, the right people pushing for your success.

Enter Champions, Sponsors, and Supporters. These individuals, inside and outside your organization, believe in you, open doors, and advocate for your success. The modern business landscape is complex. If you're not actively building champions, you're missing opportunities.

But here's the key: you can't leave your success solely in their hands—you must advocate for yourself.

Throughout my career, I've experienced both wins and setbacks in this area. The common thread? The most impactful champions in my life have been:

✅ Honest in their feedback

✅ Willing to engage and support

✅ Open to sharing their networks, experience, and reputations

When I launched Vetta, these key individuals became my unofficial board of directors, providing invaluable insights, encouragement, and tough love when needed.

Recently, I was reminded of the power of these connections:

•  I caught up with a mentor of 25 years—a voice of support, reason, and influence throughout my career (and even my education in playing Craps!) His role in my life is irreplaceable.

• A colleague-turned-friend and I have supported and celebrated each other's successes. I recently connected him with a Vetta client through mutual trust for a valuable business collaboration. The power of my champion is now extending to my network.

•  I met a new connection through a leadership group with unmatched energy and enthusiasm. He recently engaged with my Pittsburgh network at Dealmakers, leading to new business opportunities for all involved.

  
  

Champions and connections MATTER.

For those looking to grow in their careers, internal champions are just as critical:

• They advocate for you and your ideas when you're not in the room.

• They help navigate company politics and decision-making.

• They lend credibility and influence to help you gain buy-in from leadership.

So, how do you identify and cultivate these champions?

1) Make meaningful connections. Listen to understand their goals, challenges, and success metrics before making any asks.

2) Provide value. Help them see your impact on an organization, role, or partnership. If they win, you win.

3) Stay engaged. Keep champions updated, seek input, and remain open to their feedback.

4) Show appreciation. Recognize and celebrate their contributions to your success.

Champions are the bridge between you and success—inside your organization and throughout your career. Treat them well, empower them, and watch your growth accelerate. Most importantly, repay the favor by being a champion for someone else.

#Champions #BusinessGrowth #Consulting #SalesLeadership #StakeholderEngagement #VettaSalesConsulting