Something Good Leaders Have In Common

As a young leader I am always looking for successful people to pick their brains.  Whether it is leading at home, at work, at church, or in the community I want to make a positive impact with this life God has blessed me with.

In the last 5 years I've met with dozens of people that I respect and consider successful leaders in one area or another.  Each has a different philosophy on a number of issues but there is ONE THING THAT ALL LEADERS AGREE ON...(at least the one's I've talked to or read about).

All leaders express the importance of mentors.   Find one person or a few people that have been where you have been and learn from them.  Luke had Yoda.  Plato had Socrates.  Aristotle had Plato.  Danielson had Mr. Miyagi.  Tim Duncan had David Robinson.  The most successful people in the world had excellent mentors.  If you want to be great then finding someone that you respect and look up to is beneficial.

As couple, find a successful married couple that you respect and ask them what makes them successful.

As a parent, find some parents that you respect and ask them how in the world they raise such amazing kids.

As an employee, find someone that you respect in your profession and pick their brain on what has made them successful.

Spiritually, find someone that you consider strong in their faith and ask them how they have developed such a relationship with God.

Find someone that you look up to in any area and ask them to share their story and experiences with you so that you may learn from them.

Admittedly this can be awkward at first.  From my experience the people are extremely flattered that you would ask and would be glad to meet with you.  Worst case scenario, they say no and you've given them a compliment.  What could go wrong?

One word of advice, make sure you come prepared with specific questions.  You can write them down on a piece of paper or in your phone so you don't forget.  The last thing you want to do is meet with someone and say, "Ummmm, like, tell me stuff to help me."  It doesn't go well.

Here are my standard questions when I meet with someone that I am trying to learn from.  I always ask a variation of these 4 questions, plus a few more that are related to their specific expertise.

1. How do you balance being a spouse, parent, spiritual leader and excellent professional? 

2. How do you gain influence? 

3. What keeps you disciplined?

4. What were the most influential resources to get you to where you are? 

It may seem strange but feel free to take notes so that you can review this wealth of information anytime you want.  In writing this post I just reviewed some of my notes and was reminded of some great things I need to put into practice.

Along with developing Mentors, these same people also expressed the importance of developing a mentee.  It is equally as important to share your experiences and things you are learning with people that you see potential in.  

Who do you respect that you could contact this week to sit down and pick their brain?

Who do you see potential in that you can sit down and share some wisdom?

All leaders express the importance of mentors.  Do you have one?  Are you one?