365QOD- Day724

 “But there are also a few things I wish I had done differently. The number one piece of advice I would share is to recruit a mentor. Find someone you admire who is at least one generation older, and has no direct authority over you. Lack of context and perspective can cost you months and years, with a bad career choice, an unwise relocation, short-term negotiating posture, and, generally speaking, sophomoric thinking.” - Bing Gordon FAST Company

In an older post I asked a question whether you would chose that your kid is a genius when they are a kid or a successful adult.  Most people would chose the second option.  This is mostly due to people realizing that the skill set to be successful as an adult is more difficult than to stand out amongst other kids.

So what about the rest of us ‘non-genius’ types?  Can we nudge ourselves to the successful adult option.  I believe we can and should.

One of the choices that I was made to make at my last employer was to chose a mentor.  I thought that this was strange since I am a middle age guy.  BUT I went along with the program.  I reviewed the resumes of potential mentors and interviewed three. 

My choice was a senior technical person who had lived in three countries.  We clicked.

Some of the best conversations I have had with anyone about careers were with him.  It was a wonderful experience.  The quote above reminded me of that experience.  It reminded me of how great that advice would be for a young person to hear and apply. 

Currently, I chose my mentors through books.  If I want coaching on a topic then I look for an expert on that topic and read up on it.  This is specific coaching but not career coaching that a mentor can provide.

Today’s question is:

“Have you chosen a mentor?”

The article can be found at

http://www.fastcompany.com/3004900/early-stage-career-boosters-people-mvp-potential