If you’re an Olympian in Sochi, you probably have a coach. If you’re a devoted yogi you might have a guru. But where’s your guiding guru for business?
Ok, so let’s look for something a little less formal than Olympic class training. Finding support and mentorship on a basic level is important in achieving most goals in life, and yet we often overlook this professionally. Or rather it becomes a complicated situation. Seeking out others in our same boat is fine, but professionally this is “networking,” which can become a chore. When we have a problem in our personal life, we may turn to many different people. But when it comes to our professional life, we often have few options.
Yet successful entrepreneurs stress how the importance of relationships for business owners. Hayley Barna, co-founder and co-CEO of beauty company Birchbox, emphasis how “Mentors can be a sounding board and shed light on unnecessary stress.” This is particularly true when starting and growing a business.
Melissa Johnson, owner of Oh My Cupcakes in Sioux Falls, suggests seeking out leaders that seem out of your league. “Reach out to someone you think is really cool,” especially “someone a few years down your path.” You need to be around people that have gone farther than you.
Making the First Steps
So how to go about this? First off, you need to find who these role models are. They may be people you know personally or thought leaders you have always admired online. But before you can surround yourself with great people, you have to know what you want. Which qualities do you admire? And remember, aim high and don’t be intimidated.
Next, do the research. One of my mentors told me about how when she began her career she plucked up the courage to ask a local industry leader for lunch. Her insightful comments about the leader’s writing got her a lunch date and a great mentorship that has continued throughout her career. Two things people will always like: compliments and a free lunch.
Finally, cultivate the relationship. Get that lunch date or coffee and make the most of your time. Develop a lasting mentorship by helping your role model when you can as well.
There are no age restrictions on mentorship either, so go surround yourself with the people that inspire you. Soon enough, someone else might be asking to buy you that lunch.
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Elizabeth McCumber, marketing maven and freelance writer, focuses on providing quality creative content for entrepreneurs. She also specializes in email marketing and social media planning. Connect with Elizabeth on LinkedIn.
