Understanding The Levels Of Leadership In Direct Sales

Author: Susan Squier

Becoming a new leader is similar to becoming a new consultant... new consultants must learn the process, get their bearings, build a foundation, and then they become great consultants. The same process holds true for new leaders; it’s a learning curve.

Many new leaders make the mistake of thinking that they can work less once they become a leader, or that they are instantly going to have financial freedom; none of which is true.

Understanding the levels of leadership is just as important as understanding and overcoming the obstacles of a new consultant. The better you understand the process, the better your chances of succeeding as a leader.

Below are the various stages of being a leader in direct sales.

New Leader

Congratulations, you’re a leader!

You’ve sponsored six to ten people and you finally have your own team. This level is exciting and stressful all at the same time; it’s the hardest level of them all.

You’re excited because you have a team, but at this level people drop out just as quickly as they start, so you may find your self feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

This is just the beginning; you must continue to work hard in order to reach a more comfortable level.

The power of numbers is not in your favor at this point; knowing this will help you stay strong while weathering the storm. Whatever you do, don’t stop recruiting, you must accelerate in your sponsoring efforts in order to maintain your leadership; otherwise you will have nothing left after your initial recruits drop out. Balance is the key; sales, sponsoring and motivation.

Seasoned Leader

Congratulations, you’ve begun to build a foundation and you’re feeling more confident.

At this level, you have twenty plus sponsors, one of which now has her own team. This gives you another stream of income, but don’t slow down yet; concentrate on your best recruits and encourage them to build their own teams.

Your new leaders will have trouble and will need your support as they become stuck and frustrated. You will loose new leaders just has fast as you lost your initial recruits, so you must continue to promote out new leaders in order to maintain your status here.

This level may be just as frustrating as level one, but keep moving forward or you may find yourself a short term leader. On the upside, your income is growing, your recruits respect you and you’re building relationships. Your recruits now look up to you; you must lead by example.

Group Leader

Congratulations, your business is really progressing at this level and you feel more at ease.

You now lead fifty plus recruits and at least three other leader teams. This is where you will see the most growth in your business. You now have multiple levels of recruits working independently for you; selling and sponsoring.

You can now concentrate on your central unit.

Your momentum, confidence and morale are high. Your drop out level is lower and drop outs don’t affect you as much because you now have the power of numbers in your favor.

At this level, you have a lot of influence over people because of your own successes. People follow you because they see experience. Stress is low, but you have a great deal of responsibility; people depend on you and your income depends on them. You now have job security. This is a comfortable level.

Regional Leader

Congratulations, you are now leading a region of leaders.

At this level, you have a hundred plus recruits and ten plus leader teams.

Your business no longer depends solely upon you. You don’t have to work as hard anymore. You are at great ease and are enjoying a large residual income. Your recruits are following you because of how you’ve touched their lives and given them hope. Long term growth and security have begun; you have reached financial freedom.