by Bec Sadek

The perception of network marketing is changing and it's an exciting time to be in the industry! As leaders we can help to push the industry forward in the right direction.

the way we do this is by checking our own actions. On today's podcast episode I go over 4 cringey things your upline might be doing. And a heads up—if you're an upline yourself, take this as a friendly nudge to steer clear of these practices.

You can listen in below 👇

WHY IT MATTERS?

Leadership in network marketing shapes the culture of your team and company. Our actions can either foster a safe, collaborative and inclusive enviornment or it can turn people off big time. Recognizing cringey behaviors helps to stop them dead in their tracks so we can can continue to uplevel the profession.

1. Don't pressure your downline to spend money to help you rank advance.

Imagine this. You haven't heard from your upline all month long. On the last day of the month you get a message asking you to place an additional order to help your upline hit a rank. They only need 20 more orders to get their bonus and it is YOUR responsibility to spend money to help them hit their goals. Cringe alert! 🚨

It is not your downlines responsibility to spend money to help you hit your goals. Here's what to do instead.

Spend time at the start of every month understanding and getting to know your downlines goals! Throughout the month check in on them how they are progressing towards those goals. When you help your team hit their goals, you will hit yours. It's a win. win. situation and you aren't pressuring them to spend money for you. You are teaching them to make money for themselves.

2. Don't Hog The Spotlight

A classic upline misstep is hogging the spotlight. Recognition in network marketing can be a huge motivator, but when it's all about one person, the team spirit suffers.

What to Do Instead: Make sure to shine the light on various team members, celebrating their achievements and contributions. This not only boosts morale but also encourages a more cohesive and motivated team. Remember, it's not about you! It's about the team hitting their goals together.

3. Don't Shame People Who Aren't Performing

It’s crucial to remember that not everyone joins network marketing with the same goals or dedication. Shaming those who don’t meet high sales or recruitment figures can lead to a toxic culture. Some people will join your team for the community, personal development and because they love the products. Not everyone on your team will be a top producer and that is okay. In fact, most people on your team will NOT be top producers.

A Better Approach:Celebrate all contributions, big and small. Foster an environment where everyone, no matter their level of involvement, feels valued and respected.

4. Don't Compete With Your Downline

Perhaps one of the most destructive behaviors is when uplines compete directly with their downline for recruits or sales. This not only breeds resentment but also undermines the team’s integrity. You will lose trust with your team if you compete with them for prospects. Remember that when someone joins your downline they are also joining you. It is never worth competing with or pissing off your downline for one person. In the long term trust with your team matters more than a quick buck.

Leadership Tip: Encourage collaboration rather than competition.If someone wants to join you but they also have a relationship with someone in your downline encourage them to join your downline so they get both of your leadership!

When you're aware of some of these cringey behaviors you can make sure that you don't repeat them! Did I miss anything? Shoot me a DM on Instagram @Becsadek with anything I missed.

Bec