Being bad and bougie doesn’t guarantee a lit squad. It doesn't matter if you’re Barack, Michelle, or Oprah vacationing on a yacht or you with your friends strategizing on changing the world, every excellent squad relies on common principles. An effective squad will shape your values, activate your purpose, and maximize your gifts. They will recognize your intelligence & help you perform at a higher level. An effective squad is a source of stability & direction. But sadly, our definitions of an effective squad is may not be accurate.
Here are major signs that your squad is NOT lit:
1) They encourage more excuses more than they encourage moves
Effective squads will encourage you to experience new opportunities. They want you to travel & develop a global mindset. They want you to advance in your personal & professional goals. They don't entertain many excuses because they know your potential. They actively seek ways to limit your laziness so you can fulfill your divine purpose. In other words, they will get you right. They will show you how they made their moves in order to fuel yours. However, a weak squad will encourage you to remain complacent, perform beneath your potential, & support reasons why you haven't taken steps toward growth.
2) They value Success over relationships
Some people love your success more than they love you. They love what you can produce, but not the raw materials that were used to make it. Over time, you will recognize people who confuse their appreciation for your gifts with their "love" for your relationship. An effective squad is filled with people who are unapologetically concerned about your well-being. They will stick with you despite your failures. A weak squad will leave within time because your connection isn't built on love, it's built on production.
3) They poorly advocate for your advancement
Effective squads consistently advocate for you to receive new opportunities. They recognize your talents, understand your value, & support your goals. They publicly and privately endorse your character, skill set, and abilities in order to help your meet goals. Weak squads advocate for you every once and a while, but certainly not on a consistent basis.
4) They lack spiritual power
Whenever we go through life-altering situations, we can always count on a friend to say, "I'm praying for you" but forget moments later. A lit squad doesn't forget. They pray and their prayers reach the heavens. A lit squad won't minimize the importance of spirituality in your life, they will enhance it. Some problems aren't carnal, they're spiritual, and a lit squad uses their spiritual power to fight your enemies.
Consider this: If you were in a car accident and you have a 50/50 chance of living, would your squad be able to pray you through?
Your squad can't be lit if you don't have any fire. If you recognize your squad needs improvement, begin by leading yourself. Identify items you need to work on. Exemplify traits you want your squad to embody and teach them to your squad through the spirit of love. Remember: the effectiveness of your squad is tied to how you extend love to them. If you want to nurture your squad, you must work through the lens of love.
