Build Your Cabinet

“I feel myself supported by able Co-adjutors, who harmonize extremely well together.”

George Washington once noted

that great leaders surround themselves with capable co-adjutors. In today's context, building a "cabinet" means assembling a support system of trusted mentors and advisors who challenge your perceptions, offer wisdom, and help you grow. As you strive to lead with excellence, consider inviting experienced voices into your journey, much like a president relies on a cabinet for guidance.

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I start with the highest of our priorities, our soul. When we get stuck while we’re focused on work issues, we tend to think of self-help and learning, maybe coaches and consultants to problem-solve for or with

How do you build a cabinet of trusted advisors?

o you build a cabinet of trusted advisors?us. It’s too easy however, to forget the foundational piece for us Christians, the health of our faith. It will help keep our soul in shape to fight off vice and a benefit of

When this deteriorates, we’ll feel it down range in family and labor. With more thought effort, I could place spouse first, but a spiritual director can still bring healing if you’re in rough seas with your wife.

First support you should consider is a spiritual director. Start with prayer, the Holy Spirit will connect you. In today’s Church, finding one may take some time. A lot of ways to approach this but a baseline is to ask your parish priest or a priest friend to get started. Consider a deacon or religious too, but even a well-formed lay leader could be a great voice as well.

Second cabinet member to add, your spouse. This should be your most trusted advisor. Your ‘ride or die’. Not perfect but trusted. Everything you have, is theirs. You share a life with this person, and value their inputs. You’re building life together, don’t just get caught in dailies and not advise each other on big things. Being second on this list doesn’t make them number two in life.

Third chair to your cabinet.Get a mentor. Maybe 2-3 of them. These are people already in the lane of where you want to go, just a few steps ahead. Maybe you already know them, call them and invite for a coffee. Pick their brain and ask them if they would consider being your mentor. You’re never too old to have a mentor either, learning and perspective are lifelong pursuits. Fourth cabinet member, financial advisor, and/or CPA. Not everyone can manage their finances to maximize their return. Have a professional in your corner to cover all of those bases. From investments, insurance, to taxes and estate, don’t sleep on this. Your finances fuel the dream and provide the security needed.

Fifth is to have a coach, counselor, or consultant on deck. You’re getting specific with growth and problem-solving that requires a heavy and intentional lift. It requires more time and effort than any of the above can provide for what you’re working on. Business, ministry, projects, life reordering – get a professional in your cabinet that you can invest in professional services for the problem at hand.

Consultants to teach a system or come and do it. Coaches to help you do it. Counselors to bring healing from wounds in the battle.

**Etiquette notes. Some layers can be formal with process; be mindful of that. Be respectful of other people’s time. Say thank you. It’s ok to close up the formal side of the relationships, but always keep the bridges open and stay in touch. Lastly, be a mentor and pass on what you’ve learned to those coming up behind you.

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If you need trustworthy people, just ask for a recommendation. I know great people to get you started. What do you think of this list? Who would you add? Who do you already have?

Adam Jarosz is the founder of Righteous Co. and author of “Iron Ore: Journal of a Man” – a company built on faith, formation, and adventure. With over twenty years of experience in ministry and business, Adam leads retreats, coaches men to be the leaders they were called to be, and writes from the trenches of entrepreneurship.

He’s a husband, father of four, and believer in Christ and His Church, the power of grit and grace, and good fellowship. Follow along for insights that challenge, encourage, and call you higher with his newsletter, The Climb.