Finding Your Inner Circle: The Art of Building Your S10

A journey toward authentic leadership and meaningful connections.

The Power of the Few.

In our hyper-connected world, we often forget a fundamental truth: you don’t need everyone to believe in your vision—you just need the right ones.

Throughout history, the most impactful leaders understood this principle. They cultivated a select group of trusted advisors, confidants, and supporters who became the backbone of their success. I call this your S10**—your Strategic 10. These are the people who will stand by you, challenge you, and help you reach the culmination of your real objectives.

The Ancient Wisdom of Oral Tradition

There’s something profound about the spoken word that written text can never fully capture. Consider how the Vedas were passed down through generations—not through scrolls or tablets, but from mouth to ear, creating an unbroken chain of wisdom and understanding.

When we speak our truths, when we share our visions verbally, something magical happens:

– Our passion becomes palpable.

– Our conviction carries weight.

– Our humanity shines through.

This is why great rulers maintained councils—not just for their knowledge, but for their ability to communicate, inspire, and deliver results through authentic connection.

The S10 Project: A Labor of Love

Like preparing the perfect biryani over a slow flame, identifying your S10 requires patience, intention, and careful attention to detail. This isn’t a process you can rush—it’s a continuous quality endeavor that deserves the same dedication you’d give to any masterpiece.

The Selection Principles:

No Elimination Without Cause Every person in your consideration deserves fair evaluation. Names don’t get crossed off lightly.

Holistic Assessment One conversation, one interaction, one moment doesn’t define someone’s potential value to your circle.

Continuous Evolution Like quality itself, this is an ongoing process. Your S10 may shift as you grow and your mission evolves.

Time-Tested Validation Just as the finest biryanis need time to develop their full flavor, the best relationships reveal their true worth over time.

The Multimedia Advantage

While I write these words now, I recognise that written content only captures part of the story. The tremor in a voice when someone shares their deepest conviction, the sparkle in eyes when passion ignites, the pause that speaks volumes—these elements transform mere information into transformation.

This is why the greatest teachers, from ancient gurus to modern thought leaders, understand that multi-sensory communication creates deeper impact:

– Visual elements engage imagination.

– Audio conveys emotion and nuance.

– Written words provide structure and reference.

– Personal interaction builds trust and connection.

Building Your Own Council

As you work toward becoming a thought leader who makes a real difference, ask yourself:

Who are the people that…

– Challenge your thinking without crushing your spirit?

– Celebrate your wins authentically?

– Offer honest feedback when you need course correction?

– Stand by you when others doubt?

– Amplify your message because they truly believe in it?These are your potential S10 members. They’re not necessarily the loudest voices or the most obvious choices—they’re the ones whose values align with yours and whose presence makes you a better version of yourself.

The Marathon Mindset

Remember, this isn’t a sprint to a finish line—it’s a 25-year journey of continuous growth, refinement, and impact. Your S10 today might look different from your S10 in five years, and that’s not just okay—it’s expected and healthy.

The goal isn’t perfection; it’s authentic progress toward meaningful impact.

Closing Wisdom: The Rules for a Happy Life

As we navigate this journey of building our circles and our influence, let’s anchor ourselves in timeless wisdom:

1. Don’t HATE – Life is too short to waste time hating. That energy could be channeled into building something beautiful instead.

2. Don’t COMPARE – Don’t try to be someone else. The world already has them—what it needs is the best version of YOU.

3. Don’t WORRY trust yourself.

The day you stop worrying will be the FIRST day of your NEW LIFE.

Trust the process, trust your S10.

What started as a pet project has become a profound reminder: we’re not meant to journey alone. We’re meant to find our people, nurture those relationships, and together, create the change we wish to see in the world.

Who’s in your S10?