The Brazen Careerist wrote a great post, The 3 People You Absolutely Need In Your Corner to Succeed in a Career. Who are they? A mentor, a coach, and a sponsor. At first glance, they might sound like the same person. But they each play a different role in the success of your career.
Your mentor focuses on your growth.
Your coach analyzes your performance.
Your sponsor watches your back.
You can read more about who these people are, what they do, and why you need them in your life over at Brazen Careerist. But we’re going to talk about how to find them. If you don’t have any of these people in your life, it’s time to start gathering your crew. A professional athlete doesn’t succeed on his or her own, and your career is no different. Here are a few places you can turn to:
- a past teacher, professor, or internship boss
- a past or present coworker or boss
- a leader at your current company
- a skilled family member or friend
- an idol or “career crush” found on LinkedIn
Most people will be flattered if you propose a mentorship/coaching opportunity/sponsorship. Set up a phone chat via email, or a coffee date if you can. Be up front with their time commitment — a coach would require more frequent check-ins than a mentor. You’ll likely have to instigate the first few meetings or set up meetings in advance on a shared calendar. But the effort it takes to get a routine going will help your career immensely in the long run.
Do you have a mentor, coach, or sponsor? Comment below or tweet us!
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