I Want to Learn to Speak on My Feet

Snaps and laurels to a member of the Women's Leadership Academy this week. Pro skydiver, coach and author Melanie Curtis is quoted in?Illana Raia new book "The?#EpicMentorGuide"?180 women, in total, offer insights on how to engage a mentor.

They include

Be strategic, intentional, and take help from others. Recognize what you don't know and find the person to answer that. I recently asked a Samita Lab Mastermind member, who has her sights set on a CMO position by summer, to find an existing CMO and ask him/her, "What are the top 6 traits that define a modern Chief Marketing Officer?" Then, I asked her to find moments in her career where she demonstrated 'being strategic' or 'being innovative.' Come interview or performance review time, having those stories handy will be helpful.

Be specific in your outreach. I couldn't tell you how many times, I got an email pitch from someone who had a "new diet" to share. I deleted the email. When pitching, do your research. I don't cover health news. I cover business news. But, an email outreach like that tells me the person didn't do even the smallest bit of research. Here are scripts to use when reaching out to a potential mentor on LinkedIn:

• I saw this article you posted, It resonated with me. May I ask you two questions by email?
• I watched your TedTalk. I had an idea about i. Could I DM. you about it?

Make the impossible, possible. In Melanie’s words, “So many things seem impossible (like finding the right mentor), until we do them.” So what if the first person you asked to be a mentor says ‘no, I’m too busy?” It’s information and a pivot point. Keep asking! Or change the way you ask.?

Complete Today Show interview on the Epic Mentor Guide here

My name is?Joya?Dass. I made my living as a television news anchor for 20 years. Very specifically, I covered the financial markets from the floor of the?New?York Stock Exchange. I had no scripts. Just a piece of paper in front of me. I had to 'get up and talk' based on the information on the screens around me.

Impromptu.

If you are a woman leader, who has just come into a new leadership role and you find people throwing you up on the podium and in front of groups to give talks, impromptu, I have a solution. Next Tuesday and Thursday, I'll teach three critical steps to take so you can be more confident the next time you get up to speak. I"ll also take your questions live and do some laser coaching. Come join me next Tuesday March 29th 12-1pm EST.

Can't make it? I'll do it again Thursday March 31st 12-1pm EST.

A correction from last week:

• Liz Bentley, a former speaker at my women's leadership platform, offers this DIY course?Feminine Force Video Series.