I'm fully confident that, through my
mentor, I’m getting the advice, insight and unbiased support I need to realise
the business goals we've set.
How much help do you get in your
business?
We all need help now and again. Those
who say they don't need it probably need it the most!!
Who have you got to bounce ideas off
that doesn't bring their own baggage into the equation? And do you seriously
believe that someone, somewhere hasn't had the same challenges you're
experiencing right now?
If you listed your top three current
challenges, I would bet that these are issues that most business owners,
business leaders, sales professionals have experienced in the past. Whether
you're running a small business, managing within a larger organisation or
intending to do any of these in the future, seriously consider getting yourself
a mentor. It could mean the result of reaching another level of your sales success.
What's a Mentor?
- Someone who you feel can help you in your pursuit of your career objectives, whatever they are more sales, a promotion, improved leadership skills, more self control, better networking techniques etc.
- Someone who can give you a neutral take on your latest challenges - they should have no axe to grind.
- Someone with a vast bank of knowledge that you can tap into - who's been there, done that...and collected a few T shirts along the way.
- Someone you check in with now and again to bounce your latest ideas.
- Someone you trust to challenge you, to prod you, to ask you searching questions.
A good mentor...
...will use a variety of different
approaches and move seamlessly between them - coaching, counselling, mentoring,
advising, training, guiding, whatever you need. Critically, you can learn from
their mistakes! Get to know the pitfalls and how to avoid them. Getting
yourself a mentor isn't a sign of weakness. On the contrary it's a sign of
strength, a sign that you are willing to garner all the resources you can in
your pursuit of your goals. It's not about copying them, it's about using their
experience and advice and adopting it in a way that works for you.
How does mentoring work?
Any way you want it to! You can go the
formal route - regular scheduled sessions with a paid professional coach or
mentor who can offer you the level and breadth of experience you need to tap
into. More informally you might find someone in your organisation that can help
(bear in mind it can't be someone you report to). Ask them if they would be
available as a mentor and offer to take them for lunch now and again in return
for picking their brains.
You'd be surprised...
...how experienced achievers like to be
asked about how they have achieved success - they will be impressed by your
drive and initiative! You and your mentor need to get on well. Choose someone
you have good rapport with. Get away from your normal place of work. No phones,
no interruptions, it all helps. Look upon it as an investment of time and money
in YOU.
How long should you and your mentor
spend together?
Anything from an hour a month upwards.
You may need more time at first then top up mentoring sessions further down the
line.
So - don't plough that lone furrow. And
let me know how you get on.
Until next time.
Leigh
“I have learnt far
more in these three sessions than any other training course I’ve been on (and
I’ve been on many!)
Leanne Regan, Holiday Extras
020 7903 5426
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