It’s not who you are, but who you know that gets you where you want to go. For those of us not born with a famous name and lineage, this statement can give us hope. How much easier is it to get an interview, a better price, a helping hand or even a table at the local restaurant if you know someone that is connected. Our relationships are one of the key ingredients to our growth. In fact, relationship capital can be more valuable than monetary capital, intellectual capital, and many other forms of capital when it comes to the success and failure of a business. Don’t get me wrong, the others all help and at times are vital, but without relationships, it will be much more difficult, slow and expensive to push a company and yourself to the level you want to achieve. So who do you know, or better yet, who do you wish you knew?
There are several types of relationships and connections, but we are going to discuss three in this article. Mentors, Peers and Coaches.
A mentor is someone that has experience that is particularly relevant to you and is willing to share it. Typically, they are either in the same industry or possibly even in a position you wish to be in one day. They provide guidance and advice to help you avoid mistakes and keep you on the tracks to success. Many times, a mentor will provide a key piece of information or possibly even another connection that gives you the answer you need. Think of a mentor as the Wiseman on the mount. You go to him with your questions, concerns and anxiety, he gives you answers to your questions.
A peer is someone in your circle and at your level. Typically this person has accomplished about the same things in life as you have and is possibly driven toward the same goals you are. A peer is someone you would collaborate with on questions and topics to reach an answer that may be of value to both of you. Neither of you has possibly experienced the issue at hand, so ‘multiple minds are always smarter than one’ is the approach. Think of a peer as a co captain on a team. Both of you have the same goal and a collaborative discussion will produce a much higher chance of success so you work together. Sadly, some people get in competition with peers and create an environment based on jealousy and fear, that is not my definition of a peer. There is no longer a common goal, you are now on opposite teams.
A coach is the final category for this discussion. A coach's role is widely misunderstood and rarely pure. A true coach does not provide answers. They help the client think and come up with options, then work through the options to arrive at the best conclusion. It is possible and sometimes advantageous if the coach doesn’t even have experience in the industry they are helping in. An outsider will ask the ‘dumb’ questions that cause the insiders to have to really reconsider why they do things the way they do. If a mentor is the wise man on the mount, the coach is the conscience. He or she is there to help make sure you are true to yourself and
your goals, help flesh out thought processes with honest feedback, and finally to remind you to keep growing no matter the outcome.
Mentors, peers, and coaches are all a huge part of growing in your life as well as your business. Mentors give you direction, peers give you understanding, and a coach keeps you moving. If you have direction without understanding, you are on a very lonely road. Understanding without direction is just a wish. And finally, direction and understanding without something to keep you moving is like paddling upstream. You know where you want to go, you have someone else in the boat trying to cheer you on, the only problem is that no one reminded you that you needed paddles.
The results you want are out there, let me help you find them.
