Comments on: You Need a Mentor

By: On Asking Questions -- Jarkko Laine - Insanely interested

On Asking Questions -- Jarkko Laine - Insanely interested — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:35:50 +0000

[...] I started asking questions from people who have made it in the business I’m trying to get into. Like my friend and unofficial mentor, Shane says, “you need a mentor“. [...]

By: shane

shane — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:47:04 +0000

That is such an important question and one I am trying to answer myself right now. It may sounds obvious – but start by making a friends. Quinn & I were chatting about the difference between friendship and mentorship at his holiday party on Saturday. After circling for a little while, we concluded that they are not that far apart. In fact, it often shifts back and forth over time, based upon what you need to learn and if someone can provide it.

You also need to earn their trust. I’m sure it is a lot like dating. Ask questions, then shut up and listen. Do it with enough people and you will find someone you gel with that has the right experience. I have been hunting for a good mentor for the last year. I can’t tell you how many people I have spoken to. And in many I find some small nugget. Don’t assume that a mentor has to be like a basketball coach, always there poking at you. It is often other players who you chat with.

Shoo – I’ve got to run – let me think about it more.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:20:23 +0000

Shane, first of all, thanks so much for all the insight you provide to us (your readers).

Now, about Mentors:
In http://blog.shaneandpeter.com/2007/10/27/how-to-work-with-a-mentor/ you say: “take your list of dreams, goals and aspirations for your personal life, find someone who has achieved the bulk of them in your industry (or if there are none, consider changing industry) and grab their coat tails and never let go”.

The thing is that most of people over there don’t even know what mentoring is or don’t want to or don’t have time to. So, are there any tricks for getting someone to become your mentor?

By: linda m lopeke

linda m lopeke — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:08:31 +0000

Wow, this post is also right on the money! And I loved the photo you used to illustrate it. Beautiful!

Linda M. Lopeke
http://www.smartstartcoach.com
SMARTSTART: Success-to-go for people working @ the speed of life!

By: shane

shane — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:17:45 +0000

What an awesome point. Your dead right on that one – there is no better way to make sure you know what you are doing than to teach it.

The day of being on business all alone is long gone. You can try to be truly solo if you insist. In my opinion, success in our day and age comes from the partnerships that you form. I often find the interesting thing in these relationship is that we mentor each other. Everyone is bringing a different expertise and set of talents to the table. Brandon learns from me about the flow of project management – I learn from Brandon about current design techniques. It goes back and forth. No relationship is stagnant.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:47:06 +0000

Excellent and insightful post! The only thing I could add to this is that the inverse is absolutely true as well. So many times I’ve learned as much (if not more) by walking someone through a process or decision than just doing it myself alone. The key here is that community, that ever-so-important support system that societies rely upon, is pivotal to any sustainable growth. By teaching a principle, you are often forced to truly understand it before you can translate it to the other person. More often than not, the student will see something unique that will enrich your own understanding which ultimately raises the bar for everyone involved in bring about more success. So, if you have something to share that’s relevant (a talent, advice, experience), then do it and do it often. Great post!