Networking with Mentors and Coaches

Most people know they need mentors. But they approach it wrong. They look for one person to guide their entire career. Or they collect contacts randomly and call it "networking." Neither works. What does work? Building a strategic network mapped to your actual goals. I use a bullseye exercise with people I coach to help them see who gives them unfiltered feedback (the people who know you at your worst), who understands their professional capabilities (seen you under pressure), and who they need to reach to get to the next level (the outer circle they're working toward). Your mentoring network should have all three layers. And it should evolve as you grow. The people in your outer circle today? They should move inward over time as you develop new relationships with leaders further ahead. Mentoring isn't a life sentence. Your network needs to change as your goals change. Grab a pen and paper to follow along. It takes 10 minutes and gives you a clear map of who's helping you reach your next goal and who's missing.

"𝗪𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗘 𝗠𝗬 𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗢𝗥?" Every week, I get asked, "Will you be my mentor?" Often, this question comes from people I've not met, which makes it somewhat awkward. Here's a fail-proof formula I've used for finding and approaching mentors effectively. Step 1: Have Clarity on Your Goals This clarity helps you identify potential mentors who can truly propel you forward. Your goals don't need to be long-term; they can be something immediate you need help with. Step 2: Start with Your Network Look within your existing network or extend to professionals you admire but haven't met yet. This could be through introductions or shared connections. Mentors don't always come with years of experience over you; peers can be just as insightful. Template Sentence: "I’ve noticed we share a common connection with [Mutual Connection’s Name]. I really admire how you handle [specific skill or achievement], and I’d love to learn from you about this." Step 3: Make a Specific Ask When reaching out, be specific and respect their time. Request a brief conversation, no longer than 30 minutes, focusing on a specific area where their expertise is evident. Template Sentence: "Your skills in [specific area] are truly inspiring. Could I have 30 minutes of your time to understand more about how you developed these abilities and to get your feedback on [specific topic]?" Step 4: Follow Up (The Most Important Step) Post-discussion, always follow up with a thank you message outlining how their advice helped you. This shows appreciation and reinforces the value of their guidance. Template Sentence: "Thank you for your invaluable advice on [topic discussed]. I applied your suggestions at [specific instance], and it made a significant difference. I’m very grateful for your help." Step 5: Continue the Relationship Mentorship isn’t a one-off interaction but a series of meaningful exchanges. Continue to engage your mentor with relevant questions and updates about your progress. Template Sentence: "I’ve recently faced a challenge similar to what we discussed before. Could I get your perspective on this new situation?" Avoid directly asking, "Will you be my mentor?" Instead, build the relationship through respectful, meaningful interactions, and always value their time and input. What's worked for you in seeking mentorship?

Networking changed my career for the better! I haven’t always been the best at keeping relationships, especially after leaving a role. However, I’ve been networking within my industry for the past several years, and it has changed everything. First, I began to attend events in my field. I joined the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches to continue learning more about resume writing and career coaching. Over time, I began to get to know my fellow peers. I started to reach out and respond to those who contacted me. Sometimes, we messaged on LinkedIn and that was it. Other times, I had Zoom calls. And in a special case, I set up bi-weekly Happy Hours to talk business and share ideas. So why network? - Insights and Knowledge: Interacting with professionals in your field can provide a wealth of knowledge and different perspectives. I’ve learned so much from Denise Bitler, MRW, CPRW, CDBS, CICNC, CIC, Mark Misiano, MBA, CPRW, CDCS, and John Suarez, MBA, CPRW. - Mentorship: Networking can connect you with potential mentors who can guide your career development. Angie M. Callen, CPRW, CPCC became a friend and mentor. We discuss business strategy and how to bring more value to my clients. I’ve evolved countless times since meeting Angie. - Career Opportunities: Often, new job prospects come from within your network. It’s about being in the right place with the right connections. Because I was vocal during webinars, Margaret Phares asked me to lead a webinar series for PARWCC. From there, I later landed a role on the leadership team, developing and administering the CPRW (a resume writing exam). How can you network effectively? - Be Genuine: Authenticity in networking creates meaningful connections. Don’t wait to be laid off from your role. Make connections constantly. - Attend Professional Events: Conferences, seminars, and industry meet-ups are great places to meet like-minded professionals. - Engage in Online Forums: Platforms like LinkedIn groups, industry-specific forums, and virtual webinars offer global connections. - Offer Value: Networking is a two-way street. Think about how you can help others as well. Let’s discuss: How has networking influenced your career? Do you have any tips for effective networking? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below! 💬 #professionalnetworking #careerdevelopment #careergrowth #networkingtips

True fact: I had no clue about relationship building. Especially one that is organic and effective. Miraculously lucky for me, mentors like Ramit Sethi, Seth Godin, and others taught me things I didn't even know I should know. One of those insanely powerful philosophies is natural networking. After: • Taking 50+ industry leaders & creators for coffee • Building a community of 77k on LinkedIn • Teaching and testing with my mentees... I want to share with you my Mentor Talks strategy. A 5-step strategy to network organically, effectively, and in a way that leaves both parties feeling great. Step 1: Networking Account Philosophy Treat networking like a bank account. Make deposits before requesting a withdrawal. • Engage with posts • Send relevant articles • Share work with context • Highlight similarities • Ask for nothing at first H/T to the Gottman Institute, whose relationship account inspired this for me. Step 2: Select Target People Think in 3 segments: • 50%: Peers • 30%: Decision Makers • 20%: Moonshots This gives you the maximum probability surface area. While giving kismet a chance with a moonshot. Step 3:  Ask for a Mentor Talk Not a favor. Not a job. A conversation. First: • Become familiar • Engage 2–3 times • If there's a connection, then ask Then: • Make it easy to say yes • Be specific • Ask for a short coffee chat • Share a calendar link Step 4: Impress In The Chat The secret? Ask better questions. Pre-chat: • Research recent projects • Create questions that go deeper • Audit questions till you are left with the best ones During the chat: • 2:1 ratio — 2 questions for every 1 story you share • Listen. Paraphrase. Let silences breathe • Be prepared to share your goals with confidence H/T to Ramit Sethi for these strategies. Step 5: Follow up and close the loop Most people skip this. But it builds trust. • Share what you applied • Send a quick update • Offer help or relevant info • Respectfully keep in touch 💡Pro Tips: 1. Give people an out to be respectful 2. Say NRN if there is no action needed 3. If you fear networking, start by building a sandbox. Take friends out for a coffee chat first. My mentee began this way and ended up speaking with leaders from Meta, Google, and other notable companies. __ This strategy works. I've tested it myself, and taught it to professionals from 20+ years of experience to early career folks. It builds real relationships. With zero desperation. And maximum upside. Test it out for yourself. Give yourself a few tries. Respect your and people's time. Good luck 🚀 PS. Liked the cheatsheet and want to download my best cheatsheets (all complimentary)? Instructions to access here:  https://lnkd.in/gR4PkwhX

Can we talk? Three words that gave me my biggest professional breakthrough Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with a diverse group of women leaders about their career journeys. Their stories resonated deeply with my own experience, reminding me how organizations thrive when active mentoring and coaching supports leaders in their in shaping careers and enabling leaders to support others in their leadership journeys. I spoke quite openly about imposter syndrome at a pivotal juncture in my career, as many professionals do. Here is my personal story about finding a mentor, and how this transformed my career. Early in my career, after a recent job shift, I experienced a series of failures. I began to doubt everything. Then, an unexpected opportunity presented itself: a job in another business vertical that was run by a person known to be a great mentor, someone a lot of people would speak to for advice. I sent the straightforward message, "Can we talk?" with nothing to lose and everything to gain. True to every word I had heard about this person, I received a response pretty quicikly and I set up a simple coffee conversation one sunny afternoon in a conference room where I came straight to the point - why is this happening? Am I not good enough? Everything changed after that talk. I was struggling with imposter syndrome while attempting to negotiate a totally different organisational culture, and my mentor saw past my technical proficiency to identify the true issue. What began as a call for assistance turned into a life-changing experience. With constant direction, he assisted me reframe these feelings of inadequacy into strengths. The same role that once felt overwhelming became the foundation for my long-term success. This is the reason why, Through my own career and now mentoring professionals through their career journeys, I strongly advocate for the importance of building a personal board of directors (5-10 individuals) who serve three critical roles: ↳Coaches: Providing tactical guidance ↳Mentors: Sharing wisdom and experience ↳Sponsors: Opening doors and advocating for you Consider the following questions as you read my story: ↳Who is in your support network? ↳How do you keep these relationships going? ↳What value do you bring to them? ↳How will you pay it forward? Finding a mentor may seem difficult, but it can be the most rewarding investment you make to have a multiplier effect in your career. Here are some tips to find mentors and make them matter: ↳Define what you need in a mentor ↳Create a list of potential mentors ↳Reach out and make a specific request ↳Establish goals and follow through Your story is important. Have you ever had a mentoring experience that altered the course of your career? Your story may be just what someone else needs to hear, so please share it below.

Your to do list won't make you wealthy. Your circle will. After years in real estate, I learned this the hard way: Success isn't a solo journey. It's about building your personal board of directors. Why relationships are your silent wealth engine Real estate runs on relationships. Deals, financing, joint ventures, off market opportunities. They all come through people. But random networking isn't enough. You need three types of relationships: Mentors above you They're your north stars. Experienced investors who provide context you can't Google: How to underwrite deals in soft markets What to inspect in aging buildings How to structure equity raises A good mentor cuts your learning curve in half. And saves you from costly mistakes. Peers beside you Fellow busy professionals building portfolios. They're your accountability partners. Your sounding boards. Your joint venture opportunities. Join a small mastermind of 3-6 members. Meet weekly or biweekly. Test ideas, reality check assumptions, find collaborators. Mentees below you Teaching forces clarity. To explain a concept, you must truly understand it. Mentoring creates a pipeline of talent you can partner with. It deepens your knowledge. Builds loyalty. Often leads to reciprocal opportunities. Your 60-day action plan Audit your gaps in 30 minutes. List two things you need most right now. Capital? Deal sourcing? Tax strategies? Then identify: One mentor to approach One peer group to join One mentee to guide Schedule recurring touchpoints: Monthly mentor check-ins Weekly peer masterminds Monthly mentee coaching Add value first. Share a vetted deal or market insight before asking for favors. The compound effect Mentors give you direction. Peers keep you moving. Mentees force you to systemize. Together they create a compounding engine for growth. Better deals, faster learning, durable partnerships. Which relationship type are you focusing on first? PS: What's the most valuable lesson you've learned from a mentor? Share your story below. Josh Morales Luis Frias, CAM

This week I coached a woman who is leading her team brilliantly and has been sponsored for a leadership development program, yet struggles with achingly low self-confidence. We spent some time during our session identifying people in her network who could support her professional growth and practicing approaches to enlist their help. If you wish you had a mentor but can't identify any obvious candidates, the following advice from Dorie Clark and Alexis Redding is for you: think "micro-mentorship." While traditional mentorship can be hard to secure, valuable guidance is often closer than you think. Here are four strategies to help.   1️⃣ Identify “hidden mentors.” You likely have more potential mentors than you realize—for example, former professors, colleagues, or acquaintances with relevant experience you can learn from. A single conversation with them can offer valuable insights and unlock a new relationship.   2️⃣ Crowdsource advice. Leverage your extended network through LinkedIn, social media, or alumni groups to ask specific, targeted questions. Even strangers may be open to sharing their perspectives in a brief interaction.   3️⃣ Balance external guidance with self-reflection. Not all advice you receive will align with your personal circumstances. Remember to filter people’s suggestions through your own lens—and trust your gut when making career decisions.   4️⃣ Seize digital opportunities. Follow thought leaders, attend online Q&As, and explore AI tools to simulate how an expert might approach a problem. Even indirect exposure to experienced professionals can spark useful questions or insights. #careeradvice #careerstrategies #mentoring