Co-loner

I’ve been reading recently about the value and power of not doing things alone at the top.

Alex Hirst from Hoxby commented on an article about co-leadership, a model they use, which sent me on a rabbit-hole of browsing, uncovering a multitude of articles such as this.

Some weeks ago, I was working on a concept piece about sidekicks, and how they’re far more than just someone in the background — but ultimately they make the hero.

This weekend, I read Sam Conniff Allende’s excellent Be More Pirate — which touches upon a whole host of progressive organisational models which are far from new but rather pioneered in the Golden Age of pirating, including co-leadership with Captain and Quartermaster having equal control over a ship.

And most recently — this article about how the vast majority of startups have multiple founders, 2 being the average, 1 being a minority.

I’ve long realised the benefits of having a strong partner, and indeed, I’ve spent much of my career subconsciously looking for my other half. There have been many who fit the bill over the years, but for one reason or another, it never quite landed as a true committed relationship which existed in business (fortunately friendship is a good alternative option).

Equal accountability, commitment and reward. Having someone there to turn to when you’re doubting yourself, to kick your butt when you’re dragging your heals, or even to tell you to step away.

It’s one of the reasons I describe myself as a partner. I know I work best when I’m standing side by side someone else who complements my skills and works together with me — rather than being seen as the ‘boss’ or ‘leader’, but I think it could take things much further than that.

Maybe there’s space in my [work] life for someone special.