Elevate Together: The Power of Professional Relationships

Inspired by The Odyssey Books 3 & 4

In This Series

• Do the Things That Terrify You
• Elevate Together

Let's be honest, the word "mentorship" probably conjures up images of formal meetings, awkward conversations, and forced relationships. Maybe you've tried it before and found it underwhelming, or perhaps you've avoided it altogether, thinking it's not for you.

I get it. I've been there too.

But what if I told you that mentorship isn't what you think it is? What if, instead of a stuffy, one-size-fits-all approach, it could be a dynamic, personalized strategy that genuinely accelerates your career?

Here's the thing, in today's fast-paced, ever-changing professional landscape, going it alone isn't just difficult.

Going alone WILL limit you.

This article isn't about convincing you to find a single all-knowing guru. Instead, it's about exploring a more nuanced, flexible approach to mentorship that can work for anyone at any stage of their career.

Whether you're skeptical about mentorship or simply haven't found the right approach yet, I invite you to keep an open mind. By the end, you might just find yourself looking at your career and the people around you in a whole new light.

Ready to challenge your assumptions and explore a different path to professional growth? Let's get started.

What Can Mentorship Do For Me?

A five-year study by Gartner found that:

• Mentored employees are promoted FIVE times more often.
• Mentors themselves are promoted SIX times more often.
• 100% of Fortune 50 companies have mentorship programs.
• 89% of those who have been mentored say they’ll go on to mentor others.
• 97% of individuals with a mentor say they find the experience to be valuable.

Mentorships can give you the ability to learn from others' experiences, find the straighter path, and stand on the shoulders of giants.

Let's dive in.

The Myth of the Lone Wolf: Going Solo is Holding You Back

Many of us have been conditioned to believe in the "lone wolf" mentality, the idea that true success comes from solitary effort but this mindset may be holding you back from reaching your full potential.

Think about it:

• Your perspective is inherently limited by your own experiences and biases.
• Learning solely from your own mistakes is a slow and often painful process.
• Navigating career challenges alone can lead to stress, self-doubt, and burnout.

"If I hadn’t had mentors, I wouldn’t be here today. I’m a product of great mentoring, great coaching. Coaches or mentors are very important. They could be anyone, your husband, other family members, or your boss. " - Indra Nooyi, Former CEO PepsiCo

Breaking Free

Transitioning from a lone wolf to a mentorship mindset requires a shift in your perspective. Here's how to start:

• Embrace Vulnerability: Seeking guidance is a strength, not a weakness.
• Reframe Competition: See others as collaborators, not just competitors.
• Cultivate Curiosity: Approach every interaction as a learning opportunity.
• Practice Gratitude: Acknowledge those who help you along the way.
• Commit to Continuous Learning: Set regular learning goals and seek mentors to guide you.

Build Your Personal Board of Advisors

Forget the idea that you need to find one perfect mentor who has all the answers. That person doesn't exist. Instead, think about building a diverse group of mentors, AKA your own personal board of advisors.

Why? Because different people can offer different perspectives. Maybe one person is great at helping you navigate office politics, while another is a whiz at technical skills you want to develop.

Decide What You're Aiming For

Before you start building this network, though, you need to know what you're aiming for. This isn't always easy, but it's crucial. Here's how to approach it:

• Self-Assessment: Be brutally honest about your current skills and competencies. No false modesty, but no inflating your abilities either.
• Career Goal Mapping: Where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 years? It's okay if it's a bit fuzzy, but try to sketch out a general direction.
• Industry Analysis: What's happening in your field? What skills are becoming crucial? What new roles are emerging?
• Feedback Collection: Don't just rely on your own assessment. Ask colleagues, supervisors, even clients for their thoughts. Tools like 360-degree feedback can be eye-opening.
• Gap Identification: Compare where you are now with where you want to be. What skills or experiences are you missing?

My 3x4 Mentor Matrix

This might sound a bit technical, but bear with me. My 3x4 Mentor Matrix is just a fancy way of saying: aim for three types of mentors, each serving four key purposes.

1. Industry Expert: Think of this person as your crystal ball into industry trends and high-level networking.
2. Skills Coach: This is your personal trainer for specific skill development.
3. Career Coach: Consider this your strategic navigator for long-term career planning.

For each type of mentor, you'll want to define:

• Who they are
• Why you need them
• When you'll connect
• What benefits you expect

Let's break this down with an example:

Industry Expert

Who: A veteran with 15+ years of experience in your industry

Why: Provides deep industry insights, trend predictions, and valuable network connections

When: Quarterly in-depth discussions on industry trends and your position within the industry

What:

• Insider knowledge of industry dynamics
• Foresight into upcoming trends and potential disruptions
• Access to high-level industry networks Challenges: May have biases based on traditional industry norms Action: Prepare industry-specific questions and scenarios for each meeting

Skills Coach

Who: Someone who excels in a specific skill you need to develop (e.g., public speaking, data analysis, leadership)

Why: Offers practical advice and techniques for skill development

When: Monthly skill-focused sessions with homework and progress tracking

What:

• Targeted skill improvement
• Accountability for personal development
• Practical, hands-on advice Challenges: Progress may be slow and require consistent effort Step: Create a skill development plan with measurable milestones

Career Coach

Who: A senior executive, preferably outside your direct line of reporting

Why: Helps with long-term career planning and navigation

When: Bi-monthly strategy sessions, with annual in-depth career planning

What::

• An objective perspective on your career trajectory
• Insights into executive-level decision-making
• Guidance on positioning yourself for future opportunities Challenges: Advice may sometimes conflict with your current role's expectations Action: Develop a 5-year career plan to discuss and refine

Micro-Mentoring: For When Life Gets Hectic

We're all busy.

The idea of scheduling regular, lengthy mentoring sessions might seem daunting. But here's a secret: mentoring doesn't have to be a huge time commitment.

Enter micro-mentoring.

Think of micro-mentoring as your espresso shot of professional development. It's quick, potent, and gets the job done. We're talking about brief, focused sessions, often just 15-30 minutes, centered on specific challenges or questions.

Why does this work so well?

• It fits into even the busiest schedules. No more "I don't have time for mentoring" excuses!
• It allows for more frequent touchpoints. Instead of one big monthly meeting, you might have several quick chats throughout the month.
• It encourages focused, action-oriented discussions. With limited time, you're forced to get right to the point.
• It enables you to engage with a wider range of mentors. Since you're asking for less of their time, more people might be willing to help.

Imagine having a quick video call with a senior executive to get their take on a challenging situation or a brief coffee chat with a colleague to learn about a new tool they're using. These micro-interactions can add up to significant growth over time.

Your Path to Accelerated Growth

So, where does all this leave us? Let's break it down:

1. Ditch the lone wolf act. Seriously, it's holding you back. Embrace collaborative learning and watch your potential skyrocket.
2. Build your dream team. Use the 3x4 Mentor Matrix to create your personal board of advisors. Remember, diversity is key here.
3. Think small to win big. Don't underestimate the power of micro-mentoring. Those quick chats can lead to major breakthroughs.
4. Give and take. Mentorship is a two-way street. As you learn from others, be open to sharing your own insights too.

Here's the bottom line: by actively seeking out mentors, you're not just gaining knowledge. You're gaining perspective, wisdom, and a network that can propel your career to new heights. And let's be honest, in today's rapidly changing professional landscape, who couldn't use a little boost?

So, what's your next move? Maybe it's reaching out to that colleague you've always admired or scheduling a quick chat with a former boss about your career goals. Whatever it is, take that step. Your future self will thank you.

Remember, every successful person you admire got where they are with a little help along the way. Isn't it time you gave yourself the same advantage?

Go on, take that first step. Your mentorship journey starts now.