Life, as we all know, will stretch you. Sometimes it’s gentle, and other times, it’s a storm. It can be challenging and throw you unexpected curveballs while demanding resilience. And sometimes, it can feel overwhelmingly lonely.
Even the most capable women, those who seem to “have it all together”, get tired, disoriented, and feel isolated at times, especially if they don’t have a strong support system.
But here’s a truth I’ve learned through my journey and from working with countless ambitious women: We were never meant to do life (or leadership) alone.
Life is not only more manageable but also infinitely more enjoyable when you have others along for the ride.
At the same time, you’re not alone if you’ve ever felt like your current support system isn’t quite enough, or that you’re constantly the one giving, never receiving (or not receiving enough).
The good news is that you don’t have to wait for the right support to show up. You can create it intentionally or find spaces where you are supported.
Another great thing is that people naturally reciprocate. When you extend genuine support or hold space for someone, you often find it returned in kind, even if not by the same person.
But you must be open to receiving support, which is something many high achievers struggle with. And when you say yes to building the right kind of community, everything shifts and improves: Your energy, clarity, resilience, and results.
Let’s talk about how to proactively build that vital support system for your life, personal growth, and career or business.
What Is a Support System?
Your support system isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s also not just one person or one group. It’s a network, a living system of relationships that nourish you in different ways.
Think of it like a web of emotional, strategic, and even spiritual scaffolding. A dynamic tapestry woven from different connections that meet varying needs.
- Some people hold you when life hits hard.
- Others challenge your ideas and push you to grow.
- Some remind you who you are when you forget.
- And some are simply there to laugh with, do life with, and bring joy to your ordinary days.
You, too, do the same for those in your network and sometimes outside of it.
So instead of asking whether you have a support system, shift and ask yourself, “What kind of support do I need, and who helps to meet that need?”
Imagine what truly feels supportive to you right now.
- Do you need a shoulder to lean on during a tough personal challenge?
- Someone to challenge your thinking about work and leadership?
- Someone or a space to celebrate your wins, big or small?
- A sounding board for a new business or work idea?
- Or just someone to hang out with once in a while?
Once you envision what support looks like for you, you can begin building it, or you can find spaces where you fit in.
Here are 12 powerful ways to get started.
12 Ways to Build a Support System That Works
Not all of these 12 strategies will apply to you at once. Just pick 1 or 2 that resonate and start there. You may also find that you already have some strategies in place – keep those and amplify them.
1. Start with your inner circle, then branch out
Your family and closest friends are often the most obvious starting point. They are your foundation, your emotional bedrock. Start here and be willing to ask them for help when and where you need it.
More importantly, be that safe space for them too and be there for them when they call, without becoming an enabler.
From this inner circle, gradually branch out to more casual friends, trusted colleagues, and even neighbours. Every connection has the potential to become a supportive thread.
2. Be the kind of support you seek or want
Having a powerful support system isn’t just about finding people to support you; it’s about embodying the spirit of support yourself.
Support is reciprocal energy. Offer a listening ear, celebrate others’ successes, give generously, share resources, and lend a hand when you can.
When you actively contribute to a culture of reciprocity, you naturally attract others who value the same. You’ll find that the kind of people you want more of will also tend to gravitate toward you.
But remember that it’s about giving without expectation, which paradoxically, often leads to receiving more freely.
3. Connect through shared passions and hobbies
Shared hobbies and interests are powerful connectors because they are common ground. Connection often begins with joy, whether it’s a book club, pottery class, hiking club, morning runs, or learning a new skill together.
Such networks also open doors to new friendships. The common ground makes it easier to build rapport and discover compatible individuals who could become part of your support network.
For example, being part of The Ladies Book Breakfast Forum has been a profound source of support for me. It’s not just about a shared love for reading. It’s also been a space where I reconnected with childhood friends and have formed new, deep friendships with women who appreciate thoughtful discussion.
Our sub-group in the forum has been together for over two years. Those Saturday morning meetings have become our unofficial therapy and fun sessions with other girlfriends.
Such connections, born from a shared love of learning and community, offer a unique blend of intellectual stimulation and emotional camaraderie.
4. Find a professional, career, or business mentor
A trusted mentor can offer guidance, truth, and perspective when you need it most, and not just when you’re thinking about making big moves in your career or business.
Your mentor could be someone within your current organization, a seasoned professional in your industry (even from a different company), a business owner who is at least 5 years ahead of you, or a retired expert whose wisdom you admire.
When work or business challenges arise, you’ll have someone to rely on who understands your professional context and has your best interests at heart. They can offer guidance, insights, and a crucial perspective.
You must find a mentor you trust, who is ethical and has integrity. Their personal and professional or business values should also be similar to yours.
Respect and value your mentor’s time and keep them updated as you progress and even after you have stopped working closely with them.
5. Join a dedicated support group for a shared experience
If you’re navigating a specific, significant challenge like a health issue, a major life transition, or grief, a specialized support group can be invaluable.
Connecting with others who share the same experiences creates a unique bond. It also provides empathy because they truly get it.
There’s healing in being seen and supported without explanation. And knowing you’re not alone in your struggle provides immense comfort and practical advice.
6. Join or create a mastermind or professional network
Support isn’t solely for times of challenge; it’s also a powerful catalyst for growth and achievement. Consider joining a professional business support group, a mastermind, or a focused networking group for ongoing support.
This is where you connect with like-minded individuals to further your career or business, share strategies, and celebrate wins. You also get support and accountability from peers who understand your ambitions and unique challenges.
If you’re self-employed or leading in your field, this kind of strategic circle is gold. It’s a place for ideas, support, accountability, and growth.
For self-employed professional women, I host the Elevate Mastermind, a high-impact community where strategy meets sisterhood. And for women in leadership and business, the Nawiri Community offers ongoing connection, support, and shared growth.
(You’ll find more details below.)
7. Find a spiritual or values-based guide
This is important if spirituality matters to you. Places of worship and spiritual communities are often rich sources of caring, helpful people who share similar beliefs and values.
Whether it’s faith, mindfulness, or a deeper life philosophy, support rooted in spiritual values can help ground you when the outside world feels chaotic.
So if spirituality is a guiding force for you, a spiritual mentor can provide profound support. This could be a qualified yoga teacher, a respected pastor or priest, or a wise elder within your faith community.
8. Volunteer your time or skills
Giving back is a two-way street. Serving others often introduces you to warm, purpose-driven people and reminds you of your strength and gifts.
When you volunteer for a cause you believe in, you’re not only providing support to others but also finding yourself among fellow compassionate individuals.
Your fellow volunteers are likely to be supportive of your endeavours, and you’ll gain a renewed perspective on your blessings, often seeing how rich your life truly is.
Keep in mind that this requires your physical interaction and not just donating money to causes you care about.
9. Join a club or team
The camaraderie of a team or club is a fantastic way to build connections. Being part of a group with a shared goal (and consistent time together) also creates bonds and accountability.
Whether it’s playing your favourite sport, joining a local running or golf club, or something like a chess club, find something you genuinely enjoy. The shared experience and collective goals naturally foster supportive relationships.
This also goes beyond just hanging out with people who have shared interests and hobbies because of the commitment factor.
10. Leverage online communities strategically
There are amazing digital spaces, support groups and forums. For some, online communities provide a vital space to share stories, get advice, and receive support anonymously if needed.
Just be discerning and mindful of where you engage and how it makes you feel. A good online space should energize you, not drain you. But don’t let this fear make you shy away from connecting with like-minded individuals globally who can offer unique perspectives.
11. Practice openness and vulnerability
Real support only finds you when people know you need it, and true connection often blossoms from shared vulnerability. Others are also more likely to be empathetic and offer genuine support if you’re able to be open and vulnerable.
Vulnerability is a magnet for authentic connection. Sharing your story, articulating your needs, and allowing others to see that you might need help is an act of courage, not weakness.
12. Don’t hesitate to seek professional support
There’s no shame in getting expert help — a therapist, coach, consultant, or financial advisor. Sometimes, the challenges we face require expert help that goes beyond what friends or family can offer.
There’s no shame in seeking professional help from coaches, therapists, counsellors, financial advisors, or other specialists. Sometimes the most empowering thing you can do is say, “I need someone trained in this.”
While some services require payment, many free or sliding-scale options exist. Talking to an expert can provide targeted strategies and tools that significantly improve your situation and outlook.
Build Your Network, Build Your Future
Your support system isn’t a luxury. It’s an essential part of building the life, business, or leadership legacy you’re meant to create.
It’s also important to remember that creating a robust support system isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing commitment to nurturing relationships.
Your support system is also not just there to catch you when you fall. It’s there to help you rise higher than you could alone. And it’s also where you catch others, build them, and help them rise higher than they would on their own,
Just like tending a garden, it requires consistent effort, openness, and reciprocity. The skills you use to find those who will be supportive are much like networking for your career or business.
It’s about intentionally connecting with people who align with your values and can contribute to your growth journey.
In last week’s post on Achieving Discipline & Remarkable Change in a Volatile Season, I shared how recommitment to your goals can fuel clarity and momentum, even when life feels uncertain. But sustaining that clarity often requires something deeper: a solid support system to anchor you.
This network becomes your resilient foundation, there to support you not only when you need it most, but also to celebrate your triumphs and cheer you on as you pursue your boldest visions for life and business.
You don’t have to do life alone. It’s a choice whether you have or create a powerful support system for your life, work or business.
Over to you…
Support isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s the soil that allows your strength to grow. And you deserve to be supported just as much as you support others.
Take the first step. You never know what, or who, is waiting on the other side of your yes.
I’d also love to hear from you:
- What’s one area of support you’re currently seeking, or one way you’ve actively built your own support system?
- How has it worked for you being in such spaces (the good and the bad)?
- And which is one area you have had a challenge creating or being part of a support system?
- Beyond that, what can you do to ask for or offer more support?
Share your thoughts, insights, and experiences in the comments below.
(Photo by Di liberto Emanuele on Unsplash)
Get Deeper Support That’s Designed to Help You Thrive
If you’re a self-employed professional woman or leading a team in management or business, building a support system becomes even more critical for sustainable growth and impact.
If you’re looking for deeper and structured support that’s beyond what this article offers, here are two powerful spaces I host.
Elevate Mastermind
This is for you if you’re a self-employed professional woman and you’re ready to scale your business, expand your impact, and surround yourself with like-minded peers in a safe and empowering space.
You get a deeper level of strategic support, ongoing peer accountability, and expert guidance to scale your venture and elevate your impact.
Elevate is about strategy, sisterhood, and sustainable success. It’s our exclusive community designed to help you achieve your next level of business growth.
The Mastermind opens for new members in June and November, depending on the availability of free slots.
Sign up for my email newsletter to get updates when we next open registration.
Nawiri Community
For women in management, leadership, and business, Nawiri is your safe space to connect, grow, and thrive with other values-driven women who lead with heart and strength.
It’s where women come together to learn, share insights, encourage one another, and support each other’s journeys. We also meet physically four times a year.
Click here to learn more about Nawiri.
A Seasonal Invitation
If you’re reading this in June 2025, I invite you to join me and members of the Nawiri Community for our Mid-Year Strategy Circle on Wednesday, 2nd July 2025. This is a webinar that will help you close the first half of the year with clarity and create momentum for the second half of the year.
It’s a reset, a recalibration, and a strategy session tailor-made for your life and business in a turbulent world.
You will:
- Reconnect with your Vision for this year.
- Clarify Your Breakthrough Goal for the year.
- Walk away with a fresh, focused plan for the second half of the year that fits your life.
Space is limited. Find out more and register for the virtual meetup.
Not Ready for the Virtual Meetup or Elevate Mastermind?
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