Looking For Mentors in All the Wrong Faces

Last night I read an article about a Commercial Real Estate Broker being awarded a #Shero for her mentorship. She will be honored at by the Goldie Initiative which supports women in #CRE leadership. There is no fiercer advocate for women in real estate or badder broker in Chicago Industrial real estate than @Lynn Reich. She has 40 years of #CRE behind her and probably billions in transactions. She well deserves the honor. 

But, I think – in general – there is a better way to mentor and be mentored.  We don’t lose our chance to be a mentee simply because we turn 35 or get 7 years in business under our belt, do we? I hope not!

A MENTOR is a GUIDE. 

Mentors bring you into a fold.

Mentors share tips and tricks

• More importantly, Mentors teach the unwritten rules: etiquette, custom and the language of the land (the business or profession or association or group that you are joining).

So, as great as it is for a person new to a career to link up with a well-seasoned, road worn, master of the game – A/K/A “An Old.”- it’s even better to seek mentors who are Seasoned in the Own Game. A lot of them might be 15 years younger than you.

• Don't forget to Learn from the ones coming up behind you!

Tech has changed experience and who is defined as experienced or knowledgeable. On the job training has a whole different meaning. Don’t just look at days in the game, look at influence in the game. Don't look at million follower influencers, look at thousand person micro influencers who really make an impact in your field.

• Beg "Youngins" for Mentorship. There's a big difference between being young and being a NEWB.

Ask #influencers to help mentor you into new #NetworkingAdventures, new gaming. Get a 14 year old Fortnight Mentor. Find a Beauty Blogger who will show you how to make your warehouse space Pop on Snap Chat. Talk to a Residential Agent a few years into the game with a huge instagram following. Ask about the pictures that get the most eyes on Instagram. Specific rooms or whole house? How can you Translate that to #CRE #LAW #CPA work #CASHFLOW? Who has the infographics that reach the most eyes?

Right now, my greatest mentors are three women I've never met IRL (we all know that's In Real Life, right?) @Casey Flannery who dives in and innovates where so many haven't dared before. @Natalie Wainwright who puts it all out there. She lives boldly online: leaves every day on the floor with little concern as to what one of the old boys might say @Melissa Swader who has the energy of 12 people-teaches as much about the power of connection as @Yonah Weiss (my new LinkedIn for business mentor along with @Michael Ealy) and has just written #OneYellowBrick a book for small business to build their brands one brick at a time.

These three women might all have fewer years in commercial real estate then me, but I learn so much from them about innovation, going boldly and pure drive than anyone I would find ahead of me.

** I should note that these are also non-traditional mentor/mentee relationships. I'm not saying that I stalk these people (not really. LOL! :D ), but we don't zoom weekly to talk about my goals. We simply talk. They Shine. I learn.**

Have you ever thought about the non-traditional Mentors in your life? Your children? Pet? Someone in a completely different field at the top of their game?