In an earlier post, I emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with good people.
Whether it’s business, sports or life, you can benefit from others who will challenge your ideas and force you out from your comfort zone.
I talked about how my loss to Anderson Silva spawned a fortuitous turn of events that connected me with key individuals who helped me land a lucrative post-fight career as a Vice President of ONE Championship.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how launching my own podcast gave me access to brilliant minds like Dr Carl Hart, Kat Cole and Fabian Costeau – all of whom I’ve soaked up knowledge from.
Today, I want to share how you can apply ‘The King’s Court Theory’ to actively identify the good people who you should want to join your inner circle.
What is the King’s Court Theory?
The King’s Court theory states that every person has a personal court of advisors, influencers and confidants that they surround themselves with, much like a king surrounds himself with a court of advisors and confidants.
These individuals shape your thoughts, beliefs, and actions, and can either help or hinder your success in life.
The people you surround yourself with have a major impact on your life and your success.
If you surround yourself with negative, uninspired people, you’ll find yourself feeling down and unmotivated.
But if you surround yourself with positive, motivated individuals, you’ll find yourself feeling inspired and motivated to achieve your goals.
The theory labels these people using different characters. Here’s an overview:
The Jester
This character is often lighthearted and fun, but their humor can sometimes distract you from your goals. An example of a Jester in your life might be a friend who always makes you laugh but doesn’t offer much support in your endeavors.
The Advisor
This character is someone you turn to for advice and guidance. They offer their wisdom and help you make decisions that are best for you. An example of an Advisor might be a mentor or a trusted family member who you turn to for advice.
The Confidant
This character is whom you share your innermost thoughts and feelings with. They’re trustworthy and keep your secrets. An example might be a close friend or spouse who you can confide in and share your most intimate thoughts with.
The Cheerleader
This character always encourages and supports you. They believe in you and help boost your confidence. An example might be a supportive family member or a coach who always encourages you to do your best.
The Skeptic
This character challenges your ideas and beliefs. They help you see things from a different perspective, which can help you grow and develop. An example might be a critic or someone who constantly challenges your ideas, but does so in a constructive way.
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It’s important to note that no one character is inherently good or bad, it’s all about the balance and how they impact you.
The goal is to surround yourself with a mix of characters who support and challenge you in healthy ways, so you can achieve your full potential.
Whether it was Mike, Jorge or Brian Cain, each of them played a pivotal role in shaping me to become the athlete and competitor that I was.
Their influence, wisdom and coaching helped to extend my prime in the UFC, giving me the opportunity to challenge consistently amid 3 title reigns in the Middleweight division.
Now you might be wondering, ‘How can I better spot these people?’
Here are a few tips to assess the people in your life and group them:
- Observe their behavior: Take a step back and observe the behavior of the people in your life. Notice their attitudes, opinions, and reactions to different situations. This will give you an idea of which category they might fall into.
- Identify their values and beliefs: The values and beliefs of a person are a major factor in determining their role in your life. Those who align with your own values and beliefs are more likely to be in your inner circle.
- Evaluate their impact: Consider the impact that each person has on your life. Those who have a positive impact are more likely to be in your inner circle while those who have a negative impact are more likely to be in your outer circle.
- Ask yourself who supports you: Take a moment to think about who supports you and who doesn’t. Those who are always there for you when you need them are more likely to be in your inner circle.
- Assess their trustworthiness: Trust is a key factor in determining the role of people in your life. Those who are trustworthy and have your best interests at heart are more likely to be in your inner circle.