How can Sales Coaches build a relationship with a mentor outside their field?

For me, finding the right mentor needs to start with thoughtful introspection. Ideally you can find clarity about your career aspirations and areas for growth. A good guide is to see, what ignites your passion. With these insights, you are ready to seek conversations with potential mentors who have significantly advanced and they are able to assess with you, if it may be fruitful to start a journey together. Lastly, it's crucial to enter this relationship with minimal assumptions and expectations. An open mind fosters a space for learning and growth, allowing you to fully embrace the wisdom and perspectives your mentor brings to the table, especially if they are contradictory to your usual thinking.

Researching a mentor feels like a mix of sales prospecting and looking for a personal connection. I'd recommend focus on clarity by using only a few criteria: -Skill in Simplifying: Seek mentors who excel at making complex concepts easily understandable. -Effective Communication: To make sure, that they can do it for you and not only themselves look for evidence of their ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Remember, the goal isn't to create a long list of potential mentors. Quality matters more than quantity – finding that one right mentor is key. Also the process itself will already bring new insights and might steer you or tempt you in new directions. Be honest with yourself, stay clear about the outcome.

I believe to be effective at connecting it would be helpful to engage with them before you reach out. Participate in discussions they’re involved in, comment on their LinkedIn posts or articles, and engage with their public content, before bluntly reaching out. Use the insights gained from these interactions to compose a message that resonates with their work and interests. Never forget, in any interaction where you want something - Offer Value first: Include a specific topic or question that might interest them, showing the potential value of a conversation with you.

If you hire a professional coach, they will typically discuss expectations and boundaries early on in the process. If your mentor is less formal, then a rules of engagement discussion will need to happen. When do we meet, how often, how long will the meeting be (stick to the timeframe, you can always schedule another meeting) what are the common goals and finally what are the key areas of improvement. Your mentor or coach should be responsible for holding you accountable to those topics. Respect on both sides should be expected. As the mentee be prepared with questions for the mentor. Listen 2x the amount of time you talk. This will ensure a positive mentor/mentee relationship.

Coaches and mentors are great for helping you discover new concepts. One of my coaches introduced me to the practice of having a token. This is a physical reminder of the work we had done together. My great niece presented me with a painted rock near the time I was working with a coach and was seeking a token to remind myself of the changes I was working on. I still have that simple rock today, and every time I feel stuck, that rock is something I hold in my hand to remind myself that I am not the person I was. That I have grown. I do not believe I would have discovered that concept without my coach/mentor.

There are a lot of people who are coaches to sales people. My advice is before you commit to working with a mentor, be sure they have actual first hand experience in what you would like to be mentored/coached on, versus having the appearance on social of being at the top of their game.

Interview your mentor or coach. This is important. Most coaches will have an interview or consultation before you hire them. I have made the mistake of hiring a coach that wasn't wasn't quite aligned with where I was. The positive side of that was after a couple of sessions, the coach suggested I find another coach as they felt they weren't meeting my needs. The lesson is to do your research first then make an appointment to interview your coach or mentor. If they are good at the skill of being a coach or mentor, they will appreciate the interview. Be cautious of those who want you to commit without an initial meeting to discover alignment.

Forge impactful connections with mentors outside your field effortlessly! ?? Attend cross-industry events; broaden your network and seek diverse perspectives. ?? Engage in mentorship programs; platforms like LinkedIn offer opportunities to connect with mentors from various backgrounds. ?? Be open to learning; embrace insights beyond your industry for a well-rounded perspective. ?? Schedule regular check-ins; maintain consistent communication to nurture the mentorship relationship. By implementing these strategies, sales coaches can cultivate relationships with mentors from diverse fields, gaining invaluable insights that enhance their coaching approach and contribute to professional growth.