There is a lot to be said for a cheap cut of meat. Sure, that chuck roast is tough and if you try to cook it quick it will resemble shoe leather. But give it a little time, a little love, cook it long and slow with some nicely caramelized veggies and some salt and pepper and the plates will get wiped clean with the crusty bread you serve with it. But it requires foresight, planning, and patience.
Building a team is the same. It can’t be microwaved, it requires a slow cooker. It does not come cheaply. No matter how strong your vision is, the time it takes to build the relationships with your tribe, to learn how to communicate with each individual, and that you can count on each other is a process. It requires the sacrifice of time, and patience is a quality that most great leaders have to really work at. It can be incredibly difficult to be patient when you have a clear vision of what you want it to be like, but patience is required.
Take the time to notice the little shifts in direction and attitude, these are what compound daily and as long as you are headed in the direction of your goal, in spite of the inevitable setbacks, you will get there. Look for the people that have influence in your group and start there. It begins with your inner circle, the 1-2-3 or more people that you know you can count on, and they have your back. Start the conversation with them about their inner circle, and invest the time in expanding your circle by them expanding theirs. Plant the seeds and be sure to water so they can grow.