If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.

The title of this piece comes from an African proverb. Since I read the proverb, I’ve continued to think about it and how it has proven true for me. Thinking back on successes I’ve had, the majority have come from working with a good team.

A couple of years ago a financial advisor connected with me through Linkedin. We had complimentary business objectives. At the time I was working for a local TPA doing 401(k) sales and she was an advisor specializing in 401(k) plans. We decided to get together for coffee. I immediately liked her. She is smart, driven and someone I knew I wanted to work with. Thinking back to our conversation later that day, I thought of another woman I had recently met through a Women in Pension Networking (WiPN) group. We were planning an event for one of our industry meetings. She is an ERISA attorney that I also had enjoyed working with and wanted to continue that relationship. Soon the three of us where getting together quarterly for breakfast.  We often found opportunities where we could utilize each other for business. Without formalizing for even vocalizing, we formed a group where we could bounce ideas off each other and use each other as resources. 

Another example that comes to mind comes from my time at a 401(k) service provider. It was my first time working from home and not having coworkers in the next office to share ideas and best practices. Soon I found I was having regular phone calls with colleagues in different parts of the country specifically Florida, Ohio and Texas. We could ask each other “dumb” questions without judgement. When one us found something that worked in our territory it was soon being implemented by others. We raised the level by working together. I also found that same relationship with other people at that company who worked in my territory. I was lucky to have a great group to work with. We’ve all moved on to other companies and positions but are still resources for each other. I count them as good friends.

The last group are my favorite partners--the TPA’s that I have worked with for a large part of my career.   The majority started as names on a list that I was given and became true partners and friends. Jointly we were able to work together to hit our respective goals. Working as an advisor now I love that we are able to refer business to each other.

The retirement plan industry is a relationship business. I’ve truly found in my career that working with others has got me further than if I had tried to go it alone. And the journey is more enjoyable!