Surrounding yourself with wise mentors and a strong network can be the key to a successful career. But how can you develop these relationships?  Today’s host John Regentin, Senior Consultant at FCCS is joined by the 14th President of Gettysburg College, faculty of Women of Distinction at Gettysburg Janet Riggs for a conversation about the power of networks and mentors. Janet is a featured speaker at the FCCS Gettysburg Leadership Experience Women of Distinction program and has joined the podcast today to share her insights into the power of finding your network and mentoring others.

 

She shares her experiences of being pushed to higher levels with the encouragement of mentors, the support she found within positive and constructive networks, and the advice that she has for others when establishing and developing these valuable relationships in your career.

Today’s Insights Include:

 

The role of mentors in your career

• A mentor can help guide you through transition points in your career.
• A mentor will invite you to explore career moves you haven’t otherwise considered.
• Mentors invite the inclusion of less experienced team members to the table.
• Mentor interactions have the potential to impact a career in unexpected, positive ways.
• Mentors work to build confidence in others.

 

The value of your building your network

• Networks function in a different capacity than mentors.
• Networks provide opportunities to connect with colleagues to gain guidance from shared experiences.
• Both networks and mentors should aim to push you to try new things.

 

How to build sustainable relationships

• These relationships require care and feeding, they will not just happen.
• Identify ways to nurture relationships and then act on those opportunities.
• Supporting others in their roles will help build your relationships with them.

 

Sound advice from networks and mentors

• If your ego can take rejection, go for the opportunities that are in your path.
• The most valuable advice is rarely complicated, it’s actually quite simple.
• You will gain more value from your network when you pay it forward to others.
• Take what you need from your network, but you also have to feed into it.
• Don’t wait too long or the opportunities tend to disappear.

 

Seeking guidance through challenging decisions

• Talk to those in similar experiences about their strategies and successes.
• Moral support is easy to find when you share common challenges.
• Aim to turn struggles into constructive opportunities when counseling with others.

 

Keeping your networks strong

• Intentionally seek out those who can support you and who you can support.
• Reach out to others but don’t force relationships that aren’t happening naturally.
• Remain positive and constructive in these interactions.
• Expect your network to shift as your career and responsibilities shift.

 

Advice for women who are facing career choices

• Don’t underestimate your ability to take on new challenges and be successful.
• Take credit for your accomplishments and incorporate your successes internally.
• There is great power in the ability to say no to something that doesn’t feel right.
• Ensure that your personal and professional goals are aligned — there is more to life than work.

 

Advice for your younger self

• Don’t sweat the small stuff.
• Get more sleep! Take care of yourself so that you can function well as a human being.
• Consider the long game in all that you take on.
• Don’t choreograph your future too tightly — be open to new opportunities.

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