This is Probably the WORST Thing You Can Do with Your Mentor: Following Their Lead. Let me explain: Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors who shaped my journey. Each of my mentors have added innumerably to my growth and learning, and I’m endlessly thankful to them. However, I’ve also learned a crucial lesson: you won’t get the best out of your mentor if you're not in charge of your own learning & development. You can have the best mentor by your side but if you're unable to discover yourself, you'll never kearn a thing. Here’s the biggest misconception about mentorship: People believe that a mentor's role is solely to lead. While guidance is essential, the best mentors are those who follow the lead of their mentees. Instead of dropping vague gems of wisdom every once in a while, they take time to understand your aspirations and help you reach new heights. Write it down and never forget: A mentor’s job is not to dictate your path, but collaborate with you on your journey. If you’re lucky enough to find a mentor, here’s are 8 ways in which you can get the most out of that relationship: 1/ Ask Tough Questions: Don’t shy away from challenging discussions. I always appreciated when my mentors provide honest feedback. It helped me refine my vision towards my business. 2/ Paint the Bigger Picture: Help your mentor understand the long-term vision you’re working towards. When they see the bigger picture, they can provide insights that help you with your goals. 3/ Create a Comfortable Space: Provide an environment where your mentor feels comfortable challenging you. Be open to their perspectives, and encourage them to push you beyond your limits. 4/ Be Proactive: Take the initiative in scheduling meetings and setting agendas. Show your mentor that you're committed and ready to take a leap with them. 5/ Set Clear Goals: Clearly outline what you hope to achieve through the mentorship. This helps both you and your mentor stay focused and measure progress. 6/ Act on Feedback: When your mentor provides advice, make sure to implement it and report back on the results. This will help build a relationship of mutual trust with your mentor. 7/ Share Your Wins and Challenges: Keep your mentor updated on your progress, both successes and setbacks. This allows them to offer tailored advice and encouragement, and it fosters a deeper connection. 8/ Network on Their Behalf: Introduce your mentor to your connections or offer to help them in their endeavors. Mentorship can be reciprocal, and showing appreciation through support can strengthen your relationship. Let’s repeat it once again: the Best mentorship is actually collaboration. If you’re ready to invest in your development, you’ll find that the right mentor can open doors and inspire you in ways you never imagined. #Mentorship #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #Mentors
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百度 中央党校校委委员、教务部主任谢春涛,中央组织部干部教育局副局长程霜枫,中央直属机关工委有关部门负责同志出席。浏览来自职场专家的热门领英内容。
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Being a founder can be lonely. Here’s why: 1) We often don’t know what we don’t know 2) We question if we’re making the right decisions 3) Few people truly understand the unique challenges of building a company When you’re in the trenches, it’s easy to feel like you’re figuring everything out alone. Or that you spend time undoing the mistakes you made yesterday. But here’s one tactic that’s helped me: mentorship. At Yoodli AI Communication Coach, we’ve intentionally built a network of mentors: 1) Referred friends who’ve faced similar struggles 2) Fellow founders who are navigating the same journey 3) Later-stage founders who’ve already cleared the hurdles we're facing This has given: 1) Perspective – I’ve learned which questions to ask before making big decisions. 2) Confidence – Their insights have validated my instincts (or challenged them, which is just as valuable). 3) Growth – I’ve gained strategies that I wouldn’t have come up with on my own. In 2025, I’m doubling down on this - especially in SaaS customer success. My goal is to connect with leaders who’ve scaled teams and processes successfully. Takeaways for founders (and a personal reminder): 1) Build Your Bench: Reach out to mentors early when facing challenges—don’t wait for setbacks.? 2) Leverage Warm Intros: Ask your network to connect you to people they trust. A referral goes a long way. 3) Focus on Specific Gaps: Identify areas where you need the most guidance—whether it’s sales, hiring, or customer success—and target mentors with expertise there. Being a founder doesn’t have to mean being alone. Surround yourself with people who’ve been there, done that, and are willing to help you do the same. I’m thankful for my mentors, and I’m excited to make more connections in 2025 and give back where I can ???? Who’s someone you’ve turned to for advice as a founder? Drop their name below - I’d love to hear your stories. Happy new year!
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The Importance of Early-Stage Mentorship Building a business requires more than a plan and vision—relationships are crucial in the early stages, especially with those who believe in you and can influence your progress when you face resistance. In the early 2000s, I attended an industry conference after leaving Kwik Fit, where I worked under Sir Tom Farmer’s leadership, to start Blackcircles. Sir Tom founded Kwik Fit in 1971 and pioneered the tire and exhaust fast-fit concept in the UK, later selling it to Ford for $1 billion. At this event, surrounded by industry veterans, the reaction to my venture was skeptical. Most warned that the internet would never take off in the tire industry. Before dinner, I found myself alone at the bar, debating whether to leave—until Sir Tom spotted me. He was being honored with a lifetime achievement award that night but came over. He pulled up two chairs, leaned in, and whispered, “They’ll all assume I’ve invested after this.” We spent 40 minutes discussing tire prices—he loved reminding me how much better he was buying than I was! True to his word, the word on the street afterward was that Sir Tom had invested in Blackcircles. He hadn’t, but that gesture made all the difference. Suddenly, conversations with suppliers and partners became easier. My other great mentor has been Sir Terry Leahy, former CEO of Tesco. I wrote a letter to him, and he met with me that same week to hear my pitch. Years later, during a live TV interview on Bloomberg, he joked that I had “forced” my way into his office! Encouragement from someone of his stature was invaluable to my journey and reinforced the value of mentorship. These experiences taught me the lasting power of relationships and reputation. The belief of mentors like Sir Tom and Sir Terry wasn’t just in the business; it was in me. In a world where new ideas often meet with doubt, champions like them make all the difference. Here are a few tips I’ve learned for developing meaningful relationships with mentors and supporters: 1. Be open to learning – Real mentors want to see genuine curiosity. Ask questions and seek their insights with a willingness to listen. 2. Show respect for their time and experience – Acknowledge their journey and demonstrate that you value their perspective. The best relationships are mutual; find ways to bring value to them as well. 3. Stay humble – Mentors are drawn to grounded individuals. Let your work speak for itself, but don’t hesitate to share your ambitions. 4. Build trust through consistency – Relationships grow over time. Be consistent, follow through on your commitments, and show up. 5. Express gratitude and keep in touch – A simple thank-you goes a long way. As your journey continues, keep your mentors updated on your progress—they’ll appreciate knowing they’ve made an impact.
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Tried finding a mentor and got crickets? It's probably not you, it's the system. We've all heard the hype – find a great mentor, change your life. But the reality? Finding someone who's the right fit, available, and truly invested in you can feel like searching for a unicorn. The problem is, we're often sold this idea that mentorship is about finding that one perfect, all-knowing person to guide our journey. But what if there was a better way? A way that empowers you and puts your growth in the driver's seat? ?? Forget the 'perfect' mentor. Focus on the dynamic. Instead of chasing an elusive mentor ideal, shift your focus to building a mentorship dynamic. This means finding people slightly ahead of you on your chosen path, who are willing to share their knowledge and insights. ?? Why this speeds up your growth: ? Targeted knowledge:?They've?recently?faced the challenges you're facing now. Their solutions are fresh and relevant. ? Mutual benefit:?As a mentee, you offer value too! Your questions and fresh perspective make them rethink their own process. ? Less intimidating:?They're closer to your level, making it easier to connect and be honest about your challenges. ?? So, how do you actually make this happen? ?? Seek out the sharers:?Look for people doing podcasts, writing articles, or being active in their industry community. These are the people genuinely interested in passing knowledge forward. The Mentorship Cycle: 1. Reach out with a specific question demonstrating you value their expertise. 2. Listen intently, then TAKE ACTION on their advice. 3. Report back! Share your results, whether successful or not. This shows respect and helps them refine their advice. 4. Ask a new, deeper question. Rinse and repeat! This is growth on your terms. By building a reciprocal mentorship dynamic, you take control. You learn proactively, gain confidence from action, and create mutually beneficial relationships that can evolve over time. ?? The creative boost you didn't see coming ?? This approach isn't just about knowledge transfer or career growth – it's a catalyst for your creativity! Here's why: Busting out of your bubble:?Connecting with someone outside your usual circle exposes you to new ways of thinking, sparking fresh ideas. Action fuels inspiration:?Taking action on their advice, then seeing results, reinforces your belief in your own ability to create and problem-solve. Accountability breeds output:?Knowing you'll be reporting back creates a healthy pressure to actually execute on those ideas, not just let them linger. This mentorship dynamic isn't a replacement for those times when you might need in-depth guidance from a seasoned expert. But for day-to-day growth, overcoming creative hurdles, and building momentum, it's a surprisingly powerful tool. ??♂? Tip of the day: Tag someone that you want to build a mentor relationship with in the comments.
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How to get more out of mentorship This Wednesday, we kicked off another batch of Techstars San Francisco, and I wanted to share some advice on how to leverage mentors and #recalibrate for success. With nearly a decade of experience mentoring startups through programs like #Techstars, INSEAD, and Startup Week, I’ve had the chance to work with hundreds of founders. Here are my three top tips for leveraging mentors to success: 1?? ???????????? ???? ?????? ???????????????????????? Mentors bring more than just expertise—they are *humans* with valuable networks and resources. Don’t just ask for help; build a genuine relationship by following up, nurturing the connection, and showing appreciation for their time and advice. 2?? ???????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????? Even 30 minutes with a mentor can be a game-changer, but it’s crucial to come prepared. Do your research, ask specific questions, and be honest about your challenges. Pro tip: To fully integrate the session, journal about what you’ve learned—not only about your business but also about yourself! Think of actionable takeaways and reach out with any follow-up questions. 3?? ???? ?????????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???????? ???????????? Not all advice will apply to your startup, and not every mentor will be the right fit. Stay “????????????????” – grounded in your purpose and confident in your expertise. While mentors can offer valuable insights, trust your own vision and to avoid being pulled in too many directions. Fellow mentors—any tips you’d like to share? Neal Sales-Griffin Mark Munson Melissa Feemster Colleen Pimentel, CPA Mary C. Falvey Founders—I’d love to hear what worked best for you! David T. Scott Snow Lee Jennifer Loh Hanna Kanabiajeuskaja #recalibrate #selffull #mentorship #startupsuccess #founderjourney