Your Girl Fee
Presents
The Common Sense Association
Do you have a Cheerleader or a Teammate? When it comes to relationships, female entrepreneurs have to carefully consider who they choose/keep as their mate.
Ask yourself: Is he my cheerleader or my teammate?
So what is a "cheerleader" in an entrepreneur's relationship? There are two types: relentless and the "SO-SO" (Success Only). A relentless cheerleader cheers both when you score and when you are behind playing catch up. He is encouraging, supportive, adaptive, and is in tune and on board with your plan and vision.
Male entrepreneurs oftentimes complain that their wives, or girlfriends don't understand the struggle and hard work behind building their brand or business, and this is true in some relationships. But what is true in all relationships is that everybody needs encouragement and support. Everybody needs that, "Baby it's going to be alright. I believe in you," every once in a while. We need that strong silence when things are going bad, followed by a long back rub, even a temple massage through the tough times. We need that relentless cheerleader who is going to recognize when to raise our spirits, relentlessly pushing us to do more, not give up. Ultimately, they are still a cheerleader. They stand on the sidelines and watch.
Now, the So-So cheerleader, who only shakes a pom pom when you score...The one that is the loudest when there is success. The first one on top of the pyramid screaming your name. Enjoying all the spoils of your success but neither understands nor cares about the work behind it. They drain energy and often leave the woman feeling alone and unprotected.
These men may be hard to recognize (or release) because 1) you love them, and 2) they say the most encouraging, and beautiful things when you succeed that you tend to bypass the obvious disinterest or lack of empathy when you are disappointed. We tend to make excuses for the lack of support or understanding. He is a man and they don't understand. Oh, he is not used to this side of me. He is just afraid that my business is going to take me away from him and/or the kids.