Extreme Success & The Right Mentors - Lackluster Performance Might Be Due to Wrong Mentors

 JP Morgan recently poached Berkshire Hathway's Todd Combs for a major role. A factor that drove that decision, Yahoo Finance notes, is that Cobbs had as a mentor Warren Buffett.

Mentors have been central in extreme professional success. 

Classic is the rapid rise of Brad S. Karp at law firm Paul, Wiess. At age 48 he was voted in by the partners as chair in 2008. Despite the turmoil in the sector, Karp has held on to the job. Among his mentors had been Simon H. Rifkind, Arthur Liman and Ted Sorensen. 

And iconic actor Marlon Brando wasn't self-made. Who helped shape that talent were Stela Adler and Elia Kazan. 

But, falling under the influence of the wrong mentors can limit a career. I know. Probably I could have gone further in my first career path - academia - had I aligned myself with a leader with more juice. Not only did I receive unhelpful guidance on the choice of research subjects. In addition, that figure was losing power, which likely threw shade on my own brand equity. 

In coaching I advise career-starters to begin making deposits in what public affairs guru Bob Dilenschneider called the "Favor Bank." A strong account will attract the interest of those who might prove to be useful mentors. 

Even a seemingly powerless associate in a law firm can make those kinds of deposits. For example, you tip off the partner on the kind of leverage for getting the offspring into the prep school you had attended. Without balking you're there in emergency after emergency. Diplomatically you alert about an error, never to mention it again. 

A mentor is on a downward trajectory? There's an art to distancing yourself.

Thrown off your game, maybe the first time since you started working? You made all the right moves and then the world moved in another direction.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, reskilling and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

 


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