What are the best resources for finding coaching and mentoring books and podcasts?

After defining your goals, share them your manager, mentor, or colleagues. Clear goals can help them make better recommendations for books, podcasts, trainings, or people to reach out to. It is often much more helpful than asking for broad recommendations on a topic.

Not able to afford a coach or mentor yet, nor certain about how to get one... Beyond family and friends, we have information “bombarding” our senses daily. Others’ experiences are beneficial. Someone may not appear learned, yet capable of offering life-changing insights. Unique people can be like “diamonds.” Their information is at least “golden." Let ears and mind be wide open. While exposed to others' natural light turned us on...appreciate the moment of reception...that whomever about to help you reach “next level accomplishment. From classroom teachers’ speaking beyond their daily curriculum, to your dentist, barber, hairdresser, or transit drivers, tidbits of information matter. Ask questions until your formal coach comes along.

An online search would give you a lot of options but you might not know what real value they offer unless you have personal recommendations and you either read or listen. Personally I have found these 3 podcasts full of value and relevant 1. Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast 2. The Tony Robbins Podcast 3. Les Brown The Resilient Mind Podcast

In my humble opinion, John C Maxwell, Marshall Goldsmith, John King, etc. are the people to follow if one wants to learn the concepts of leadership. The concept of Tribal Leadership is a great idea and I was lucky enough to have had chance to interact with one of the co-authors John King, who helped me to differentiate between management and leadership.

Let me share with you a concept that I learned from my interaction with John King (co-author of Tribal Leadership): 1) Management is granted by authority (by someone else), while leadership is granted by choice (of people being led). 2) Management is about time and efficiency (how quickly can this get done). Leadership is about space and effectiveness (how can we get things done that no one thought was possible).

John C Maxwell taught me that "attitude" is everything - "Our attitude would determine our altitude" and let me add to it by saying "gratitude is the best attitude".

Sometimes, a real person is best able to support your success. Seek out mentors, coaches, and peers that can help you grow and stay grounded. Through your journey, stay humble and open. When you are humble, you remain curious and open-minded, acknowledge your limits, admit failures, seek knowledge, accept critical feedback, and change your mind when faced with evidence. Make sure you give mentors and coaches feedback. Follow-up on commitments made. Let them know how you've applied learning. Support comes more easily when it has a positive impact.

Be it books, podcasts, quote, articles, the medium is not important. The passion and willingness to learn, grow and share is more important. Happy to help anyone who is looking to grow in their journey to become a better leader.

Few podcast recommendations The Coaching Hour The Mentor Collective The Coaching Jungle The HBR IdeaCast The Mindful Leader