Coaching for Leaders

Most of us have heard that having a mentor is good for us. Yet, setting out to find a mentor isn't always the easiest task. In this episode, I share several strategies that will provide a clear path to tracking down a mentor, without relying on the awkward, "Will you be my mentor?" opening question.

In Greek mythology, Mentor was a friend of Odysseus and was placed in charge of his son Telemachus when Odysseus left for war.

Merriam-Webster's dictionary calls a mentor, "A trusted counselor or guide."

What do you want to get from mentoring?

Probably what you aren’t good at (or at least not yet)

Plus, it's something that's important for you to get better at

Advance planning

Who do you know who's good at that?

Are there multiple people?

You don't have to know them today

Your greatest mentors will never expect anything

Identify specifically how someone can help and begin there

Make a mind map of the people who could help

Create a board of directors

Getting Started

Start off with a specific question

Know that not everyone will respond or won’t be willing to help

Wait on asking someone to “be a mentor”

Everyone has a different context for this

It could seem like a huge commitment

It's awkward if they don't want to make that committment

Find a way to connect regularly

This is where proximity and formal programs can help

Make a point to connect regularly

It’s great to be influenced by those that you don’t speak with regularly, but find people you will see

Be willing to ask for help

Get out of the “asking for help is a weakness” mentality

What’s something in front of you right now that a new perspective would be helpful with? My challenge to you is to go out and identify a person and approach them with a specific question and ask advice. Remember, you don’t have to take the advice. If they don’t respond, identify a second person.

Past shows that might also be helpful to you on the topic of mentoring:

Episode #61: How to Start A Mentoring Program with guest Stella Cowan

Episode #63: Practical Advice for Mentoring with guest Kurt Allebach

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LinkedIn citrus challenge winner: Noris Sanchez - Congrats Noris...please send me your address for the delivery of oranges!

Are you in the New York City area? If so, drop me a line if you're interested in getting together for breakfast on the morning of Saturday, October 12, 2013. I'm planning the first official #CFLshow community meet-up!

Apologies if you received old show feeds in your app this week. Reminder: if you stop receiving episodes at any point in the future, simply unsubscribe from the show and resubscribe to reset to the new feed.

Thank you to Makala Navarro, Diane Icon, David Byrne, Heriberto Alves, Andrea from elope for subscribing to my weekly article this past week. I publish an article each week that will give you a booster shot between shows on how to lead better by giving you actionable advice to improve your communications, human relations, or personal productivity. If you’d to receive it in your inbox, just go to coachingforleaders.com/subscribe. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my video overview and downloadable guide on the ten leadership books that will help you get better results from others.

It’s a busy time of the year for many of us and perhaps you’re struggling with overwhelm recently and#8211; or maybe you feel out of control already. On today’s show, you’ll discover how to maintain control when completely overwhelmed.

It’s a busy time of the year for many of us and perhaps you’re struggling with overwhelm recently and#8211; or maybe you feel out of control already. On today’s show, you’ll discover how to maintain control when completely overwhelmed.

Olivia Klaus: Sin By Silence

Inside the California Institution for Women, the first inmate initiated and led group in U.S. prison history, shatters the misconceptions of domestic violence.

Convicted Women Against Abuse (CWAA) was created in 1989 to help women inside prison break the silence about abuse and learn more about what they needed to do to help others stop the cycle of violence.

Director Olivia Klaus joins me to discuss how she influenced social change throughout the State of California through her film, Sin by Silence.

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I'm thrilled to launch a new series today called Everyday People, Extraordinary Leaders. This recurring series will inspire you to take what you are learning in this show to go out in the world and create prosperity and peace. My first guest is Olivia Klaus from the documentary film, Sin by Silence. As you can see in the trailer below, it's a powerful story that has led to laws being changed in the State of California.

Guest: Olivia Klaus, Quiet Little Place

Director and Producer of Sin By Silence

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Do you know someone in the legal profession who could help? Email me at [email protected] and I’ll get you in touch with Olivia.

I’ve moved the show’s RSS feed. This should not affect most listeners. However, community members on two popular networks will want to take the following action:

Windows Phone/XBox listeners:

1. Unsubscribe from the show

2. Resubscribe

BlackBerry listeners:

1. Unsubscribe from the show

2. Resubscribe to “Coaching for Leaders” in the directory, NOT “Coaching Skills for Leaders”

If you stop receiving the show at some point in the future, unsubscribe and resubscribe in your directory of choice, and that will solve all your issues.

The LinkedIn Citrus Challenge is still on from episode #101!

1. Connect with me on LinkedIn

2. Send me a message on LinkedIn saying, “I’m entering the contest.”

Thank you to Srinivasa Sivakumar, Mark Jansen, Bhaskar Nellipudi, Tom Frick, Jim Lynch, Bill Keys, Monir Azzouzi, Shawn Richardson, and Mike Wiese for subscribing to my weekly article this past week. I publish an article each week that will give you a booster shot between shows on how to lead better by giving you actionable advice to improve your communications, human relations, or personal productivity. If you’d to receive it in your inbox, just go to coachingforleaders.com/subscribe. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my video overview and downloadable guide on ten books that will make you a better leader.

Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed

Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*.

Are you taking on a role as a new manager? Do you know what to say in your first conversations with members of the team? Many new managers recognize the importance of early conversation with the people they will manage, but they don’t always know how to start those conversations. In this episode, I welcome back Bonni to review the seven questions to ask the people you’ll be managing.

How did you come to work here?

Tell me what you do for the team?

What’s working on the team? What isn’t?

How does this job fit (or not) into your career objectives?

What keeps you busy outside of work? (And ask it exactly that way).

What advice do you have for me on how to best work with you?

If I ever have an issue with something you’re doing, what’s the best way to tell you?

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

Are you taking on a role as a new manager? Do you know what to say in your first conversations with members of the team? Many new managers recognize the importance of early conversation with the people they will manage, but they don’t always know how to start those conversations. In this episode, I welcome back Bonni to review the seven questions to ask the people you’ll be managing.

Guest: Bonni Stachowiak

How did you come to work here?

Tell me what you do for the team?

What’s working on the team? What isn’t?

How does this job fit (or not) into your career objectives?

What keeps you busy outside of work? (And ask it exactly that way).

What advice do you have for me on how to best work with you?

If I ever have an issue with something you’re doing, what’s the best way to tell you?

Community Feedback

Leave an audio message now

USA: (949) 38-LEARN

Twitter: #CFLshow

I’ve moved the show’s RSS feed. This should not affect most listeners. However, community members on two popular networks will want to take the following action:

Windows Phone/XBox listeners:

1. Unsubscribe from the show

2. Resubscribe

BlackBerry listeners:

1. Unsubscribe from the show

2. Resubscribe to “Coaching for Leaders” in the directory, NOT “Coaching Skills for Leaders”

If you stop receiving the show at some point in the future, unsubscribe and resubscribe in your directory of choice, and that will solve all your issues.

The LinkedIn Citrus Challenge is still on from episode #101!

1. Connect with me on LinkedIn

2. Send me a message on LinkedIn saying, “I’m entering the contest.”

Deadline for submit for the LinkedIn Citrus Challenge is Monday, September 2, 2013

Thank you to Lucinana Prestes, Ayaan, Kodona Brown, Marie Patten, and Jozeca Lathrop for subscribing to my weekly article this past week. I publish an article each week that will give you a booster shot between shows on how to lead better by giving you actionable advice to improve your communications, human relations, or personal productivity. If you’d to receive it in your inbox, just go to coachingforleaders.com/subscribe. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my video overview and downloadable guide on ten books that will make you a better leader.

Donna Schilder: Executive & Career Coach

Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Is it up to date? Do you get any benefit from it? If not, on today’s show you’ll learn how to get the most from LinkedIn to help you network, build your brand, and influence the world. I welcome back Donna Schilder to share her expertise on LinkedIn to help us maximize the use of this network.

Reach out to Donna and her coaching team directly at (562) 685-5032.

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Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic.

Do you have a LinkedIn profile? Is it up to date? Do you get any benefit from it? If not, on today’s show you’ll learn how to get the most from LinkedIn to help you network, build your brand, and influence the world. I welcome back Donna Schilder who originally appeared on episode #97 to share her expertise on LinkedIn to help us maximize the use of this network.

Guest: Donna Schilder

Get LinkedIn Now!

Resources from Donna:

8 Ways to Make Your Profile More Powerful Than a Resume Blog Post

LinkedIn Profile Picture Bloopers

Get LinkedIn Now! purchase page (Donna's course)

Community Feedback

Leave an audio message now

USA: (949) 38-LEARN

Twitter: #CFLshow

Enter the LinkedIn profile contest for one box of California oranges! Connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me that you are entering the contest by Monday, September 2, 2013, and you'll be eligible to be sent a box of California oranges. Plus (and more importantly) you'll have a better LinkedIn profile. Use what you've learned in this episode to make your profile stand out.

Thank you to Dan Falaise, Kim Smith, Hakim Laukkoski, and Mike Isaac for subscribing to my weekly article this past week. I publish an article each week that will give you a booster shot between shows on how to lead better by giving you actionable advice to improve your communications, human relations, or personal productivity. If you’d to receive it in your inbox, just go to coachingforleaders.com/subscribe. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my video overview and downloadable guide on ten books that will make you a better leader.

Bonni Stachowiak: Teaching in Higher Ed

Bonni is the host of the Teaching in Higher Ed podcast, Dean of Teaching and Learning and Professor of Business and Management at Vanguard University, and my life partner. Prior to her academic career, she was a human resources consultant and executive officer for a publicly traded company. Bonni is the author of The Productive Online and Offline Professor: A Practical Guide*.

It’s the two year anniversary of the show! On this episode, I turn the microphone to you and share how the community has benefitted from this show over 100 episodes. If you’re checking out the show for the first time, it’s also a great way to discover which past episodes have been most valuable to others.

Thank you to the following community members for your contribution to this show:

Ben Krueger

Episode 98: Five Rules For Your New Leadership Role

42 Rules for Your New Leadership Role by Pam Fox Rollin

Oliver Pelayo

Episode 70: How 3 Words Can Drive Your Development This Year

Steve Chase

Three Ways To Handle a Sudden Change of Plans

Episode 44: Susan Cain on The Power of Introverts

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a Word That Can’t Stop Talking

DebB Bixler

Episode 42: How To Gain Insight Into Personality

Also see episodes 43, 44, 45, 46, & 47

Episode 89: The Value of the StrengthsFinder Assessment

Episode 90: How to Interpret Your StrengthsFinder Results

Rick Gray

Episode 55: How to Lead in a Crisis

Bhaskar Natarajan

Duke Whitman

Hakim Laukkoski

Episode 91: Mark Goulston on How to Listen When Someone Is Venting

Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In by Mark Goulston and John Ullmen

Carolye Asfahl

Episode 79: Benefits You Get From A Recognition Program

Episode 80: Ten Steps To Create A Recognition Program

Kirk Morrison

Suzie Farthing

Episode 76: How To Handle People Who Smell

Dave’s appearance on One Love for Nurses Episode 19: How To Influence Without Authority

Tiago Mota Miranda

Episode 2: How To Start Coaching Someone

Episode 4: What Is Coaching and Why It’s Different From Other Development Tools

Carmel Purdey

Mohammad Al-Khalifa

Episode 59: Seven Principles for Leading People Older Than You

Discover More

Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.