How do you gain fresh insights from your network and mentors?

1 Set clear goals

Before you reach out to your network and mentors, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn, improve, or achieve. Having specific and measurable goals will help you focus your conversations and interactions, and make them more productive and meaningful. For example, you may want to learn how to use a new software tool, improve your presentation skills, or achieve a certain revenue target. Write down your goals and prioritize them according to your needs and interests.

2 Seek diverse perspectives

One of the benefits of having a network and mentors is that they can offer you different perspectives and experiences that can broaden your horizons and challenge your assumptions. To gain fresh insights, you need to seek out diverse perspectives from people who have different backgrounds, roles, industries, or expertise than you. For example, you may want to talk to someone who works in a different sector, a different function, or a different market than you. You may also want to talk to someone who has a different style, approach, or opinion than you. By seeking diverse perspectives, you can expose yourself to new ideas, opportunities, and solutions.

3 Ask open-ended questions

One of the best ways to gain fresh insights from your network and mentors is to ask open-ended questions that invite them to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences. Open-ended questions are questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no, but require more explanation and elaboration. For example, you may want to ask questions like: How did you overcome this challenge? What are the best practices for this process? What are the trends and opportunities that you see in this area? By asking open-ended questions, you can encourage your network and mentors to share their insights, stories, and tips that can help you learn and grow.

4 Listen actively and reflectively

Another key skill for gaining fresh insights from your network and mentors is to listen actively and reflectively. Listening actively means paying attention to what they are saying, showing interest and curiosity, and asking follow-up questions. Listening reflectively means summarizing what they said, clarifying any misunderstandings, and sharing your own thoughts and feelings. By listening actively and reflectively, you can show your network and mentors that you value their input, understand their points of view, and appreciate their feedback.

5 Apply and experiment

Finally, to gain fresh insights from your network and mentors, you need to apply and experiment with what you learned. Applying means taking action on the advice, suggestions, or recommendations that they gave you. Experimenting means trying out new ideas, methods, or approaches that they inspired you with. By applying and experimenting, you can test the validity and usefulness of the insights that you gained, and see how they work for you in practice. You can also share your results and feedback with your network and mentors, and thank them for their support and guidance.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?