What if the fastest path to your next leadership level isn’t a new certification, but a better corner? We unpack how to build an inner circle that challenges your thinking, expands your options, and lends you belief when your own confidence dips. From a pivotal career story about saying yes to a stretch role to a field guide of practical tools, you’ll hear how the right people transform momentum.

We walk through the Thrive With Five method to intentionally choose the voices that shape your days. You’ll learn how to spot true champions, why borrowed belief can unlock moves you’ve been avoiding, and how to set humane boundaries with energy drainers without burning bridges. We reframe networking as relationship building—seeking perspective, offering value first, and asking the simple question that opens doors: How can I help you? Along the way, we dig into reciprocity as a leadership habit, show how a simple energy audit can reset your week, and share ways to turn these habits inward to your team by celebrating wins, mentoring in the moment, and normalizing asking for help.

If you’re a new supervisor, first‑time manager, or a seasoned leader ready for a clearer next move, this conversation is your playbook. Expect concrete steps, from naming your five to expanding your ripple with intention. Ready to design a corner that lifts you higher and helps you go farther than you could alone? Follow the show, share this episode with someone who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review to tell us what you’ll try first.