3 tips for working with a mentor

Each week while we’re in session for Business Class, I interview a different expert, founder, or industry insider. And each week I learn more in that hour than I do in the days surrounding it.?

Case in point, Monday’s call with ClassPass founder Payal Kadakia Pujji. Just last week, it was announced that ClassPass, which was already valued at over $1 billion, was acquired (for even more than $1 billion) by fitness booking giant MindBody. In the same week, she revealed the cover of her new book, LifePass . To say she’s inspiring is an understatement.?

We talked a lot about her story, but one thing stood out: mentorship. The number of times Payal used the words mentor and advisor was stunning. You’d think that someone from MIT who went on to consult at Bain wouldn’t need as much help as the rest of us.?

A few tips on mentorship that Payal bestowed upon us during that hour of dense wisdom:?

1. Find someone who knows the mentor first. Start with your network and go from there. Get an introduction, cold-calling can be weird (but sometimes necessary). And KNOW WHAT YOU WANT before reaching out.?
2. Once you’ve found a mentor (or anyone in a position to help you), be honest with them. Posturing and pretending will not only not impress them, but you’ll lose the opportunity to get real feedback. Your grandiosity is fooling no one.?
3. And when you are honest, don’t worry about your ideas getting stolen. Ideas are a dime a dozen. Execution is all that matters and when you do it swiftly, someone else will be doggy paddling to keep up. Be the one casting the shadow, not standing in it.

THE TAKEAWAY

Great people beget great people, and just one contact can introduce you to a future mentor. Nurture every relationship, even those with people who are less obvious candidates to help you. And when you find your mentor, show up with what you want and be honest.