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The Ingenuity of Mutual Support in Networking
The Ingenuity of Mutual Support in Networking
Have you ever heard this 1972 song, Lean on Me, written and sung by Bill Withers? The song’s message has stood the test of time largely because it is the cornerstone of successful relationships.
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Take a moment to reflect on the relationships in your life. Do you feel good helping someone else succeed, overcome a challenge, or just feel better? We hope you can say yes because these wonderful, time-tested lyrics sum up the spirit and culture of WESOS and the way its members support and network within the WESOS Community.
The WESOS Community
It’s interesting that the word “compatibility” comes up often when talking about the culture of WESOS. We’ve all met countless WESOS Sisters in our community who we can lean on for support. And we have all been there to help WESOS Sisters who need to lean in and depend on us. Situations in business and life get challenging, and every woman in the WESOS Community knows she has an army of other women who have her back and are there to support her.
WESOS in Florida
This is exactly why all WESOS meetings close with the leader asking, “How would your life and business change if you surrounded yourself with a community of women that refuse to let you fail? That’s WESOS.” This WESOS message is intentionally all about sharing mutual support within our community.
Not every WESOS Sister vibes with every other WESOS Sister, but the goal is to find “your tribe” within our community. Make a point to find someone with whom you are compatible and share the same energy. When you do, you can be confident that you will have each other’s backs.
Ultimately, in this universe, we get what we give. If you are part of the
WESOS Community and you are not feeling supported, it may benefit you to reflect and self-assess who it is you are supporting.
Tribes Versus Cliques
It’s important to differentiate between finding your tribe and forming a clique. Although a tribe and a clique may seem like similar social constructs, they are not the same thing!
So, what does “your tribe” mean? The definition can be culturally fluent, but whatever the meaning is exactly, we know that when we say, “I’ve found my tribe,” it feels good. As part of a tribe, we are connected and comforted. A tribe is a safe place where everyone understands you and your ways.
On the other hand, we never hear the words “I’m so happy I found my clique.” Here’s why. The word “clique” immediately puts us on our guard, thinking about mean girls who may judge us. Cliques may make us feel inferior because we don’t “fit in” with them.
A “tribe” inherently feels more inclusive than exclusive (like a clique). Finding and hanging with “your people” presents an entirely different energy than guarding and keeping others from entering your group, which is how we see a clique.
Celebrating Our Differences
Not everyone has to be the same, and in fact, it’s impossible. Therefore, it’s common to find out something about another person and think, “She’s not for me, and I don’t want to get to know her if she thinks that.”
If we don’t get a good vibe from someone, it’s merely because our energies don’t match. It doesn’t make someone else wrong or bad or us right or better. We are all doing our best with the information and resources we have at any given moment.
When we feel compelled to judge, we need to realize it’s just our ego protecting our need to be “right.” By default, it means that the
other person may seem “wrong.” However, none of us should make a judgment on another living soul. There is no reason to judge, label, or condemn others with whom you don’t connect. Playing into that judgment game creates unnecessary drama and strife in our lives.
Wouldn’t we all rather live in a society that celebrates our differences and accepts all people into it even though we might not be best friends with every single one of them? Despite our differences, we can all make the world a better place by learning to lean on each other in a friendly, caring way that offers mutual support.
Mutual Support Sets WESOS Apart
Being part of an incredible community of women supporting women is the secret to so many WESOS Sisters’ success. Stop and think about the WESOS Sisters you are supporting right now and which Sisters are helping you. Let those thoughts and feelings fill you and know that you are part of an exceptional community of women who will always have your back.
WESOS Founder Jean LaVallie with her beautiful granddaughters
Jean LaVallie
Founder, WESOS Network
Jean LaVallie is the Founder of Women Entrepreneurs’ Secrets of Success (WESOS Network), a membershipbased women’s networking organization that serves over 7,000 women and their companies through active and dynamic relationship-building forums, events, and opportunities. After nearly a decade as an entrepreneur and leader of WESOS, Jean has learned that true, meaningful collaboration among the community yields measurable results.
Jean LaVallie
T&Co - Brand in a Box
Under Jean’s leadership, WESOS has blossomed from a single chapter to over 25 chapters across the U.S. To date, Jean has supported thousands of women in their personal and professional growth. WESOS has accomplished this by providing an environment of intentional tools and resources, meet-ups, events, and hands-on customized coordination. Jean’s own experience both in and out of the workforce is what helps make WESOS so uniquely responsive and effective when it comes to meeting the needs of its community members. For 25 years, she was a stay-at home mom who simultaneously dabbled in entrepreneurship. Early on, she began a local children’s clothing line —and she loved every minute of it. Once her kids left the nest, she came to the realization that her value proposition was helping other women find their own love of entrepreneurship and success.
Jean and her husband recently moved to Colorado to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
