Avoid these first steps when engaging a person before you:
- Using the word “mentor”
- Setting up a coffee, informational interview, or meeting to “pick their brain”
- Making an immediate ask
Rather, start here:
- Study the person’s work
- Reach out to tell them something you really like and what you plan to do
- Once you have a result, let them know what worked — and what didn’t
- Don’t except them to do work or to respond
The goal isn’t to GET a mentor. The goal is to benefit FROM mentoring.
Three more hacks with influential people:
- Help them out with something they are working on right now
- Consider following virtual mentors to supplement your learning
- Always be ready for the, “What can I do for you?” question.
Try honestly to see things from the other person’s point of view. -Dale Carnegie
Resources
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Related Episodes
- Get ROI From Professional Associations, with John Corcoran (episode 209)
- How to Grow Your Professional Network, with Tom Henschel (episode 279)
- The Power of Weak Connections, with David Burkus (episode 347)
