Do You Have a Team?

[Daniel E.]

Do you have a Team?
By Bakari Akil II, Ph.D.

A team.

All great people have them, even if they are behind the scenes. Politicians, authors, fighters, CEOs all have individuals, seen and unseen, who provide counseling, training and a host of other support services; including a kick in the pants if necessary.

In life, no one can survive on their own and for great accomplishments we all need people to help us along the way. But beyond the ordinary roles people play in helping one achieve a dream, sometimes we need a group of individuals specifically devoted to our cause. People who know what the mission is; know how to achieve it or have a plan; and are willing to put their time and energies into making it happen.

A great team can provide wisdom and insight; they can guide you in the right direction; and they can hold you steady when you are not at your best. A great team helps fill in the gaps in knowledge and skills you don’t possess and can make sure that you will become well rounded.

In my route to the Ph.D., I had a superb team that led me through my dissertation process. I had to assemble a committee of four professors who pointed out skill sets and a knowledge base I would have to master before moving on. They provided much needed direction, tips and pointers on how to proceed through the maze that is the dissertation process.

They met with me constantly to monitor my progress and provided the necessary nudges I needed when the time arose. They even pointed me to outside experts who could further help in my journey. Without their high expectations and standards I would have never have achieved what I have thus far.

So in your life, who is on your team? —- Is there something that you’re trying to achieve but are going at it alone? If so,

Don’t.

Assemble a network of people who can lead you in the right direction. A group that can support you in becoming the best you can be. Get the best people you can, give your all and let them help you lead yourself to success.

Bakari Akil II, Ph.D. is the author of Super You! 101 Ways to Maximize your Potential! Check out his page on Twitter.

 

[Daniel E.]

Seven Tips for Finding a Great Mentor
by Jamie Walters
Inc.com

A good mentoring relationship allows both mentor and mentee to develop new talents and build self-awareness. In business settings, the mentee can become more in-tune with a corporate culture, and the mentor can hone leadership skills. But arguably the toughest part of a mentoring relationship is finding a mentor. When beginning your search, consider these tips:

Know yourself: Consciously think about where you are in your career, and where you would like to be. Honestly assess what type of personality you have, and which personality types complement your style. Consider your strengths and weaknesses, and define how a mentor might guide you through your growth. If you don't know yourself, how can another person support you and help you grow?

Be proactive: In some cases, mentoring relationships form naturally. But don't count on it happening that way. Develop a deliberate course of action to find a mentor, a course which can include all of the ensuing tips.

Ask for referrals: As with any search process, tap into your friends' and colleagues' networks to expand your reach. When requesting referrals, be clear about what you're looking for and why. It'll save your time, your friend's energy, and the contact's efforts.

Keep an open mind regarding who this person might be: A mentor is someone who will help you grow in the area(s) most important to you. This person is not necessarily your supervisor, or anyone with a high-ranking title, or even someone in the same business. Look for someone who exemplifies the traits and skills that you want to adopt. If your accountant models the mindset-management behaviors that you strive for, she could be your mentor.

Identify where you may find a suitable mentor: Good sources of mentors include your management team, industry associations, online communities, your clergy and/or congregation, and professors. Also consider people in your non-workplace communities, such as retirees, local business owners, and people associated with your hobbies. (Note: Some personal coaches advise against choosing your supervisor as a mentor because of a possible conflict of interest.)

Know what you want to achieve from the relationship: A clear understanding of your purpose and desired result will ensure that you find a suitable mentor, and that you and your mentor find value in the relationship. This clarity also eliminates any future confusion regarding roles and expectations.

Think about people who have been your mentors in the past: Whether deliberately or not, each of us has had mentors in our lives. Think about the people who have mentored you and the qualities that you appreciated most about them. Use these traits as barometers to finding a new mentor.