You should build a cult

I didn't set out to become a cult leader. Does anyone?

Though it seems I have become one.

The shift happened slowly. Maybe about a year ago. Someone spotted me at a conference, ran up, hugged me, and asked: "are you Generalist Milly?"

The Generalist World cult was in motion.

I'm a country kid from rural New Zealand. Grew up milking cows and running barefoot through paddocks. Now I'm speaking on stages, being recognised at events, working with my dream team, and making a living from doing the most meaningful work of my life.

Forget building an audience. Forget building a community. Forget even what you know about building a team. You should build a cult.

The Build-A-Cult-Playbook

Building a cult isn't what you think. Here's my take on what a modern cult can be:

Intentionally crafted spaces & experiences that operate outside of the usual. A modern cult pushes boundaries by uniting people with shared values to reach new heights together.

By complete accident, and now by (my own) definition: Generalist World is a cult. Oops.

But now that I'm here - it's freakin awesome! There's been patterns I've picked up over the years, that are unique to how we operate. I hope they can help you create better experiences, too!

Cult non-negotiables:

1. Shared identity and shared values

It's not enough to be like-minded. This is why 99% of communities are dead in the water. A shared identity + values sounds like:

• "wow, everyone is so genuine here"

• "I didn't know there were so many others like me"

• "I'm blown away by the support"

• "This feels like home"

• "I've made more progress in months than I had in years"

2. A trusted face

The singular way to build real, lasting trust is time. The gurus will tell you there's a 12-step hack. There's not. It's taken literal years of showing up every day to create a circle of trust around me. Only now is that circle compounding and growing exponentially faster. People trust people other people really trust. Prove time and again that you're someone who can be trusted.

How to build cult-level trust:

• Do stuff your own way, and share it. It won't 'land' for the vast majority of people, that's perfect. Lean into your difference. Own your own shape. Be weird. Wacky. Funny. Vulnerable. Whatever feels most natural to you, even if (*and especially if!!) it's not what everyone else is doing, lean in.

• Do what you say you will do. No shortcuts on this one. Be impeccable with your word.

• Don't live a highlight reel. Sharing only the good is unhelpful for others and IMO, is a toxic behaviour for you. Being real about the downtimes, and the struggles doesn't make you weak, it makes you real.

• Think in years. Prioritizing short-term gains kills trust. Simple.

3. Hire overlooked, entrepreneurial talent

Before I make a hire, I ask myself, would I invest in this person? I would invest in every single team member in Generalist World.

Entrepreneurial talent is often overlooked talent, they probably already don't fit into the 'traditional employee archetype'. This is the exact kind of person I want on my side. Hungry. Tenacious. Resilient. With a bias for action.

I'm going to write a blog (novel???) on building our team, because it has been an exceptionally excellent experience. But for now: hire entrepreneurs!!!

4. Preach your religion till you're blue in the face

'Generalist careers' feels it has become somewhat of a religion. When folks stumble across the work we do, they nearly fall off their seat. Finally! They're seen. Validated. Finally, someone is going out to bat for them. It feels life-altering. Your job as cult leader is to set the doctrine, and preach it with heart at every single chance you get.

5. Make your cult rich

For career cults, this could be money-rich. For others, it might be rich in experiences, connection, growth, time etc. Focus on making others successful, and you'll catch the tailwinds.

6. It's a loooooonggggggg game

The long-game is predominantly a mental game. It'll be full of failures & experiments (s/out to Grace Miller. Learnings & lessons. Things you could have done better. Late nights questioning if you're the one to be able to do this. Deep sighs. Too much coffee. Your friends having no idea what you're up to. More fulfilment, happiness, and excited dancing around the living room.

I said openly to my team over the weekend: Generalist World is not the top priority in my life. It won't come above my health, or my relationships.

I care deeply about its success. I care deeply about the people we help. I care deeply about my team. I care deeply about making careers a hell of a lot better.

In many ways, we're a cult. A collective of people who give a shit about each otheer, and about our impact. Who do things differently. Who show up genuienly and consistently. Who are making a dent in the world.

So, what will you build?