Friday, August 27, 2010

The Value of Good Mentors

There are those who are fortunate and those who are less fortunate. Throughout my career, I have been able to excel, been able to see things from different perspectives and been able to accomplish much. I do not take the credit for this. It is because I have worked with some of the greatest minds I know. In every career move I've made, I have had the fortune of recognizing and listening to those who knew the path, followed the path and now are teaching the path.

I had what felt like an out of body experience earlier today. I viewed something differently than I would have several years ago. I was being asked for advice where I might have taken the same approach that was proposed. It seemed liked the right approach at the time, but when factoring other aspects, wouldn't have accomplished what was intended. I don't know when this transition of thinking happened to me.

I do know, left to my own devices, I wouldn't have been able to distinguish this or it might have taken many more years. The point I'm trying to make is that I am very appreciative of my mentors. Of those who take the time, of those who teach and of those I get to learn from. "Good leaders create other good leaders and not followers." Words I read years ago and know that experiencing good leadership does change how a person thinks.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Carving the Path

Often times I observe others afraid to take risks. Afraid to go against the grain. Afraid to take a chance. My advice: Do it. Take the chance. Take the risk. I have a story that I feel defines my personality.
My husband and I were car shopping several years ago. I found a red brand new mustang that I absolutely wanted. The problem: It was standard. I had never learned to drive standard. Needless to say, I bought the car anyway. I didn't even know how to drive it home. My husband had to. So why did I use this to define my personality? Because even though I didn't know how to drive the car, I knew, I'd learn how to. What better motivation, but to take it home. I had no other alternative. If I didn't learn how to drive the car, I couldn't go to work. The pressure was enormous. Sink or swim.
I take this same approach in my career. I'm a young, successful person and am often asked "Aren't you afraid?" Of course, it's scary. I'm not superhuman. But I don't let fear interrupt my progress. I let it challenge me. Being out of your comfort zone is not easy. Just the opposite: It's quite difficult. But the lessons you learn are carried with you while you carve your own path.