In episode seven of eleven, we are going to spend a few minutes acknowledging that the best leaders have mentors. Having a mentor is truly a trait of an amazing, influential leader.
Why? Because they became amazing and influential by learning quickly from the mistakes of others, being coachable, and learning how to run faster and do better than those around them.
Mentorship is critical to our success. When I got my first big promotion from pharmacy manager to district manager, I thought my life was going to be amazing. Freedom. Flexibility. An amazing life. Instead, I was sleeping on a mattress on the floor, sitting in a camp chair, using a TV tray as a desk. I worked nights, mornings, and weekends. My life was far from amazing. And just when I thought I was going to throw in the towel and go back to being a pharmacist, the company went through a restructure and I got a new supervisor. He quickly became my mentor and taught me all I needed to know about how to do my job.
I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today without him. Eventually, he was no longer my boss, we were peers but I still would reach out to him and ask for input, thoughts, perspective, and guidance.
I still have mentors even today.
Remember, mentors, don’t have to be someone you interact with one on one. You can be in a group coaching, mastermind, or inner circle relationship and still have them be your mentor. The point is that it is someone who has “been there done that” that can tell you what you need to do next and help you avoid the pitfalls. Coaches also do this.
Do you have a mentor or a coach? If not, close the gap. Be coachable. Learn from others so you can move your business forward faster and grow yourself along the way.
Be Legendary!