Are You Earning Your Paycheck as a Leader? A Heart-to-Heart for Direct Sellers
Hi, friend. Welcome to the Passports, Profits and Pixie Dust!
I’m Lindsay Dollinger — high school Spanish teacher, dog mom, world traveler, and direct seller. I empower women to run their direct sales businesses the right way so they can earn the money they deserve, live the life of their dreams, and travel the world.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way… let’s get started.
A Conversation From the Car (Because #RealLife)
If you hear some background noise, it’s because I’m recording this episode from my car on the way home from school. And it’s one of those classic January days in Ohio — cold, gray, and gloomy.
But the thought on my heart today?
Not gloomy at all.
It’s something I’ve been wanting to talk about for a long time:
👉 Are you earning your paycheck as a leader?
And this applies whether you have:
- 1 team member
- 10 team members
- 100 team members
- Or even just 1 customer
Because leadership isn’t about titles.
It’s not about your rank.
And it’s not about how big your team is.
Leadership is about responsibility.
And if you’re earning money from someone being part of your team…
You owe them leadership.
Customer Service vs. Team Leadership (Both Matter!)
Let’s start with customers.
If someone buys from you, you should be:
- Providing great customer service
- Sharing value
- Being consistent
- Showing up in your group
- Playing games, doing giveaways, staying present
- Making them feel like more than a sale
But for TEAM MEMBERS?
That requires a whole new level of responsibility — one too many people skip.
If someone joined your team — whether you personally enrolled them or not —
YOU earn income because they’re there.
That means:
- They deserve your attention
- They deserve your mentorship
- They deserve your leadership
- They deserve your guidance
And no, I don’t mean you have to do their business for them.
But are you doing anything to earn the paycheck the company deposits into your account?
Direct Sales Compensation 101 (And Why This Matters)
Everyone’s comp plan looks different:
- Some companies rely on legs
- Some rely on rank requirements
- Some pay deep
- Some pay wide
- Some pay on personal rank movement
- Some pay on team volume
But here’s the truth in every company:
💥 If someone is in your downline — anywhere — you benefit.
It does NOT matter if:
- You personally sponsored them
- Someone five levels down sponsored them
- They’re “not your responsibility”
- They’re “not your runner”
- They’re “not your strongest leg”
That person is part of your team culture.
Your team energy.
Your team’s overall success.
And your paycheck is impacted — directly or indirectly — by their presence.
So the question is…
👉 What are you doing about it?
What Great Leaders Actually Do
I’ve been in many companies (fitness, skincare, clothing, wellness, beauty… you name it), and I’ve experienced every kind of leadership:
✨ The amazing
✨ The bare-minimum
✨ The absent
✨ The “only talk to their runners”
✨ The “you’re not my first line so who cares”
✨ And the truly inspiring servant leaders
Being on those teams shaped me into the leader I am today.
And here’s what I KNOW works:
✔ Great leaders check in
Not just mass posts.
Actual one-on-one connections.
✔ Great leaders know their people
Their goals, their personality, their strengths.
✔ Great leaders don’t play favorites
You’re not valuable only if you’re top-selling.
You’re valuable because you’re part of the team.
✔ Great leaders train, support, and elevate
Through:
- Team calls
- 1:1 chats
- Incentives
- Voice memos
- Personal recognition
- Accountability systems
- Meaningful conversations
✔ Great leaders SERVE more than they take
They aren’t just collecting a paycheck.
They’re showing up for the people who make that paycheck possible.
Ask Yourself: Are You Really Leading? Or Just Earning?
This is where we get honest, friend.
If someone looked at your leadership footprint, would they see:
❌ You only talking to your rising rockstars?
❌ You ignoring the 90% who aren’t “your top producers”?
❌ You never tapping down multiple levels to meet the real workers?
❌ You only leading when it benefits you financially?
OR…
✔ consistent mentoring?
✔ a heart of service?
✔ messages that show genuine care?
✔ a culture where EVERYONE feels seen?
Because here’s the truth:
💥 A team does not flourish by focusing only on the top.
A team flourishes when everyone feels valued.
The Taproot Strategy — And Why It Works
One of my FAVORITE leadership skills is taprooting.
This means:
👉 Reaching down multiple levels of your team
👉 Finding hidden leaders
👉 Supporting people your own first line may not be supporting
👉 Developing leadership where you least expect it
Why?
Because sometimes the MOST motivated, MOST talented, MOST committed people…
…aren’t your first line.
They might be your 3rd line.
Your 7th line.
Your 12th line.
And they’re waiting for someone to SEE them.
That someone might be you.
A Simple Leadership Wake-Up Call I Gave Myself
A couple months ago, I realized I had brand-new teammates I had NEVER spoken to.
Like… ever.
And that did not sit well with me.
Yes, I’m active in our team group.
Yes, I provide resources.
Yes, I train.
But personal connection?
I was falling short.
So I started scheduling 15-minute check-in calls.
Message check-ins.
Voice memos.
Little touchpoints.
It made a huge difference — not just for them, but for my own sense of integrity as a leader.
Your Accountability Partner Might Be Holding You Back
This one might sting…
If you’re only running with your:
- Best friend
- Sponsor
- Comfortable buddy
- Favorite sideline
…but THEY aren’t growing?
You’re going to stay stuck too.
Sometimes the person you should be linked arms with is:
- Someone newer
- Someone hungrier
- Someone you weren’t even paying attention to
- Someone from a totally different part of your downline
Be willing to look around.
Be willing to upgrade your circle.
Be willing to expand your leadership.
Leaders Are Learners — Invest in Yourself
One final thought (and something I’ll preach forever):
👉 The best leaders are always learning.
I’m currently in three masterminds — all with people outside my own company — and the ideas, perspectives, accountability, and conversations have changed everything for me.
Investing in:
- Coaching
- Masterminds
- Courses
- Events
…has made me a stronger leader.
Which means my team benefits too.
And PS:
Yes, personal development = tax write-off.
Boom.
Your Leadership Challenge This Week
Take this seriously, friend:
1. Choose 3 teammates to personally reach out to this week.
Voice memo > text
Video > message
Connection > checkboxes
2. Ask them what they need.
Not what YOU think they need.
3. Look at your team with fresh eyes.
Who are you ignoring?
Who deserves recognition?
Who could rise if you believed in them?
4. Invest in YOU.
A mastermind, a book, a course, a coach — something.
You’ve Got People Counting On You. Lead Them Well.
I hope this fires you up.
I hope it inspires you.
I hope it helps you reshift into true servant leadership.
Because YES — 2021 (and beyond) can be your year.
But only if you’re willing to show up the way real leaders do.
If you loved this message, I’d be so grateful if you’d share it or leave a rating/review.
Come hang out with me inside the Marketing Magic & Business Systems Group — I’d love to support you more.
Until next time… go lead well, friend. 💛