Hey, it’s Nathan. This is the "Welcome" series for How to be Second, especially built for us that are "Seconds", this kind of person. If you signed up for the email list, you're probably already getting these! But of course, you can absorb them as fast as you'd like.
Here's the whole series:
Buying into Your Self (A Second?)
Introducing H2B2 and your Second's Community
- What and WHY is How to be Second?
- Community Agreements?
- The Guide System
- How H2B2 Makes Money
OK, I’m a Second… now what?
- Opportunity Development
- Personal Development
- Professional Development
So, What's a Second?
Well, WE are Seconds… and maybe you are?
**Most critically, a “Second” is a KIND of person, not a ROLE. We gave language to a kind of person we discovered while writing a book that was supposed to be all about work, but became all about identity.**
Since then we’ve put together a few more robust versions of the answer to “What’s a Second?”
Here’s the “Lightning Round” version: “Seconds are people who have a unique combination of traits that enable them to activate vision by integrating people, processes, and systems. They bridge the gaps, sense-make, seek alignment, and build a plan to achieve outcomes with and for others. This identity is brought to any role they might hold, such as partner, friend, manager, VP, COO, etc. If this sounds like you, I've just scratched the surface here.”
Here’s a longer version, for the world (youtube short)
And the longest version, especially for Seconds.
How’d you figure this out? (There’s a book?)
Myself (Nathan Young) and David Hartman set out to write a book all about what it takes to be the best “Second in Command” in the world and I knew from Day 1 I wanted to call it “How to be Second” (because who else wants to write that book?).
I started by anchoring to the title COO… and it all went sideways from there. (The beautiful kind of sideways that can only come from being genuinely curious and willing to adjust based on what you find, even when it’s inconvenient)
After hundreds of conversations, three years after we started the project, and two complete revisions of the primary idea, we published the book in July of 2023 almost like sending a radio signal into the ether - we’re here, and this is who we are… is anyone else there? Is anyone else like us?
Years later, we continue to gather feedback that looks, sounds, feels like this:
"Honestly, I connected with it so deeply it's almost hard for me to process it.” - Brian Hanley, Minnesota, United States
Every time I go through a page, I internally scream, "THAT IS ME”. This is a wonderful read - I feel heard, I feel seen, somebody understands. - Kyren Cabellon, Cebu City, Philippines
I’m wrapping up your book now and gosh, I’ve never felt more SEEN before. - Drew Doss, Texas, United States
As a bookworm I deploy a system to help me gauge how much I love a book, I fold the bottom corners when I read something I like. I found almost EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. insightful. Some pages even have the coveted double fold. - Victoria Sena, London, England
Nathan, I am listening to H2B2… MIND BLOWN!!! There are so many things that have come together in my brain as ah ha moments! - Lana Nelson, Minnesota, United States
Today, How to be Second is truly a Community; over 600 people across 28 countries have raised their hands and said “YES, I AM THIS KIND OF PERSON”.
How do I join the Community?
If you are confident in raising your hand and saying “regardless of whatever job title, I am THIS KIND OF PERSON that you’re talking about” than you’re already in it.
And you’re getting this, which is a fantastic start. Now we just need to get you even more connected.
We have SO much more available to you, depending on what you’re ready for. We’re building this community of Seconds, and we are especially good at supporting your journey of Growing Alone, Going Together, and Growing Together. You should absolutely come join as live (and virtually) at a Monthly Meetup, but check out ALL the things under “Community” on the website and frankly, just respond to this!
That was a lot - but we always like to ask what you’re ready for next: To grow alone, or go (and grow) together?
If you're ready to grow alone:
You could check out the next parts of this series (if you're on the email sequence, do nothing, it'll just show up)
If you'd like to listen to what it feels like to "Be this person", especially contrasted with a "Dreamer" type, the One Second podcast is for exactly that experience
If you're ready to stay on the pulse of H2B2 and the community, you can make sure you're set to get the weekly email
If you're ready to go (and grow) together:
You can register for the Monthly Meetup and come spend some time in community - or check out the main nav and touch base for what's interesting to you, and talk to a real person about that!