Building Relationships with Mentors Through Networking

Here's my "Never ask for a mentor" framework that led to: - Mentorship from an NYC food entrepreneur - Writing for Ryan Holiday - My first 6-figure job - $2k to speak with zero experience - Getting on top business podcasts (before I had a business) - Moving from teaching to tech - Quitting my job and going solo I know this is going to help people: 1. Never use the "M" word - Never ever ever ever (ever) ask someone to be your "mentor" - This creates instant pressure - Start with a specific, thoughtful question about their work - Show you've done your homework on their background - Ask one simple question that will help you (that they can answer is less than 60 seconds) - Be SPECIFIC (Not "whats your best tip for somebody starting out..") - Keep initial outreach brief and respectful of their time 2. Take their advice and ACTUALLY DO IT - This is where 99% of people fail - When someone gives you advice, implement it immediately - Don't wait for perfect conditions - just execute - Document your process and results 3. Circle back with results - Return with "I tried what you suggested and here's what happened..." - Be honest about both successes and failures - Express genuine gratitude for their guidance - Nobody does this - they'll be genuinely surprised 4. Use that momentum to ask the next question - This creates natural permission to continue the conversation - Each exchange builds more trust and access - Focus on quality questions that show you're serious - Create a cycle of value exchange rather than a one-sided relationship 5. Repeat consistently - Continue this loop with multiple people in your industry - Be patient - relationships build over time - Gradually deepen connections through consistent follow-through That's basically it. People love seeing their advice put into action. While everyone else is asking for mentorship and doing nothing with it, you'll stand out by simply following through. Do this enough times and you'll build a network that creates true freedom - freedom where you will always have work if/when you want it and a support network that lasts a lifetime. Any questions? Was this helpful?

Going from leader to mentor builds a 2-way street to success: Here's why the best leaders are also the best teachers. The mutual learning process is key to rapid growth. Both mentor and mentee gain valuable insights. Mentorship isn't just career advice. It's a career accelerator. Here's how to find and create game-changing mentor relationships: 1. Know your growth areas • Identify specific skills you need to improve • Example: "I need to get better at financial modeling for pitches" 2. Find the right mentors • Look beyond LinkedIn - attend conferences and join forums • Find successful people who aren't in the spotlight • Consider mentors from different industries for new ideas 3. Make a strong first impression • Mention their work that impressed you • Show how their skills match your career needs • Share an insight about their work to start the conversation 4. Be ready for each meeting • Write a brief summary of your goals and progress • Update them on how you've used their previous advice • Prepare 2-3 situations where you need their help 5. Give back to your mentor • Test their new products or projects • Introduce them to new talent in their areas of interest • Help build their personal brand through speaking or writing 6. Build a diverse mentor network • Mix long-term mentors with short-term advisors • Example: An industry expert, a tech guru, and a rotating specialist • Review your mentor relationships every 6 months 7. Set clear goals • Use objectives and key results to guide your relationship • Check progress every three months • Be open about your career moves and ask for their advice 8. Learn from mentors indirectly • Study their career choices through research • Try out one strategy from each mentor every month • Keep a log of what you learn and how it helps you grow The best mentorship relationships evolve into collaborative partnerships. Aim to reach a point where you're brainstorming solutions together, not just receiving advice. P.S. If you found this valuable, repost for your network ♻️ Join the 12,000+ leaders who get our weekly email newsletter: https://lnkd.in/en9vxeNk Lead with impact.

Here’s a secret to help you supercharge your networking. Stop trying to hit home runs with every touch point. Instead, focus on small wins that move the conversation forward. I see so many people making big / vague asks up front: “Can you hop on a 30 minute call?” “Tell me how you accomplished [Big Thing].” These people are super busy and they’re receiving this email from you - a total stranger. The last thing they want is another item on their to do list. Instead, start with a small, simple ask that they can reply to in <30 seconds. Here’s a formula that's been really effective for me: “Hey [Name], your experience in [Industry] is really impressive. I know you're busy, but I just had to ask: If you had to start over and work your way back to [Insert Achievement], would you do A or B? A: [Insert Actionable Thing] B: [Insert Other Actionable Thing]” This formula makes is incredibly easy for them to say "I'd do A" or "I'd do B." Now the door is open! Go do thing A or thing B, get results, and report back. Let this person know you took their advice and then ask for more. This positions you as someone who values their advice and has an action bias -- someone worth investing in. That's going to lead to deeper conversations and stronger relationships!