People often ask me about my mentors. I didn’t have a single mentor — I believe it’s not practical to attach yourself to just one role model or manager. I tried to learn from everybody I worked for, and everyone I worked with.
Don’t view the notion of a mentor as being someone who advances your career. When you sincerely want to learn — not just get ahead — successful people are happy to help you. It’s important to realize that the most valuable thing successful people have is their time, and they will only invest it in someone who really wants to learn and grow. Nobody is sitting around waiting for someone who needs help to appear.
- Have you identified people who could mentor your continuing development as a manager?
- How would you communicate with those individuals to seek their counsel?