Building the Kingdom: Number 1s and Number 2s

The point we were making last week is that some people are kings and some people are king-makers. King-makers see the potential in people and work to make them the kings that they can be.

In an age where everyone wants to be the king of their own personal brand, king-makers are increasingly rare.

Every leader worth their salt understands that there is no such thing as a team of kings. A kingdom is made up of a king (the Number 1) and a range of advisors, counsellors and senators (the Number 2s).

Number 1s are the visionary, trail-blazing people that draw the crowds.

Number 2s are the less glamourous, behind-the-scenes people that make the Number 1s’ words a reality.

Here’s the thing: they are all leaders. The Number 1 might be the leader, but any Number 2 is still a leader – the leader of the area they oversee. This is 360° leadership.

The reality – for anyone who has actually been on a successful team – is that Number 1s need Number 2s and Number 2s need Number 1s. To build the kingdom you need both.