Hey Similar Circles folks in Toronto... Rotman School of Business and their wonderful women's program is hosting my next event!
If you're not already on my mailing list, then check out the Rotman events calendar for October 29.
Sorry guys...this one is women only but since I rotate the guest list with each event, hopefully that's ok? Or, if enough of you want to have a mixed fall networking event, post a comment or send me an email.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Don’t ….
So here’s a few “do not do” thoughts for today:
1 - Don’t seek advice unless you actually want it.
2 - Don’t seek advice because someone else tells you it’s the ‘right’ thing to do for your career unless you believe it to be true.
3 - Don’t seek advice unless you’re prepared to try it.
4 - Don’t seek advice only from those who will tell you what you want to hear.
5 - Don’t seek advice in areas that don’t truly hold your interest.
I'm not trying to be negative! But really, sometimes it's ok to simply go it on your own if that's what you want to do!
1 - Don’t seek advice unless you actually want it.
2 - Don’t seek advice because someone else tells you it’s the ‘right’ thing to do for your career unless you believe it to be true.
3 - Don’t seek advice unless you’re prepared to try it.
4 - Don’t seek advice only from those who will tell you what you want to hear.
5 - Don’t seek advice in areas that don’t truly hold your interest.
I'm not trying to be negative! But really, sometimes it's ok to simply go it on your own if that's what you want to do!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Finding a mentor
I find it amazing when folks tell me how awkward or strange it feels to ask someone to mentor them.
We seek mentoring constantly in every other area of lives – parenting tips; home improvement know-how; negotiating a loan; relationship advice; sporting expertise – everyone gets a support at some point along the way.
It’s only in the business context that it seems to become all twisted up with formality and repercussions.
You can follow the same guidelines you use in other areas of life:
• Figure out if you actually want to change something or add to it
• Find someone whose ideas and opinions you respect
• Ask them nicely to talk it through with you
Depending on the topic, it may be one session or many months.
If you’re working your way through a career plan, you might even want to approach several folks who hold different perspectives on your strengths and habits.
If you aren’t sure who to ask, then start with your inner circle. Your communities combined will lead you to your first/next mentor in a just a few coffees.
We seek mentoring constantly in every other area of lives – parenting tips; home improvement know-how; negotiating a loan; relationship advice; sporting expertise – everyone gets a support at some point along the way.
It’s only in the business context that it seems to become all twisted up with formality and repercussions.
You can follow the same guidelines you use in other areas of life:
• Figure out if you actually want to change something or add to it
• Find someone whose ideas and opinions you respect
• Ask them nicely to talk it through with you
Depending on the topic, it may be one session or many months.
If you’re working your way through a career plan, you might even want to approach several folks who hold different perspectives on your strengths and habits.
If you aren’t sure who to ask, then start with your inner circle. Your communities combined will lead you to your first/next mentor in a just a few coffees.
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