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Idea Climbing® Podcast Episode 44
While many people and publications will tell you mentoring is important, not many clearly define it or tell you how to get started. That’s what I discuss with my guest, Steve Ferman.
When I mentioned mentoring the first thing Steve brought up is that, as a mentee, you need to be prepared for brutally honest and transparent conversations with mentors. Sugar coating the realities of life won’t benefit anyone. That approach might hurt the mentee’s feelings at the time. But when a self-aware person looks back at the blunt advice, they appreciate the honesty.
What do you need to do before reaching out to potential mentors? First, think about what your end goal is. Start there and break it down into smaller bites. Work your way backwards until you’re asking yourself “What can I start doing today?” which leads to “What do I need to know that a mentor might be able to help with?”
Many people have shared with me that they are afraid to ask for help. Often, they don’t think that they have anything to offer potential mentors in exchange for their advice. Steve says the good news is that there are giving people out there. They enjoy the fulfillment of helping people because someone helped them at one point in their life. You need to take the initiative and ask for help.
Steve told me that after his 40 years of being a business owner – starting, running and selling six companies – if he can help somebody else not suffer through some of the things that he’s suffered through he will. What good would it do him to just hold it in? It’s better off to share it and pay it forward.
In this episode we also discuss:
- Answering the question: “Do you ask someone to be your mentor right away or let mentoring relationships happen organically?”
- Where to go, online and offline, to find mentors.
- The top reasons that you should become a mentor when the opportunity presents itself.
- How to keep mentoring relationships going after the first conversation.
- …and more golden nuggets of advice!
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About The Guest
Steve Ferman is the Founder of 4 Pillar Coach and is a Scaling Up Coach as well as a graduate of the Master’s Program for Entrepreneurs – The Strategic Coach.
A serial entrepreneur, Steve started, ran, and sold 6 different technology companies over 40 years. He has a deep understanding of every stage and how technology has evolved. This experience and knowledge led Steve to become a business coach. He currently serves as a Board Member of Entrepreneur Organization EO, New Jersey legal industry providers.
Steve is a Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, BlockChain Certified, HIPAA Security and Awareness trained. Steve spent 5 years in the United States Marine Corps., and remains active in the USMC Slattery Detachment.
Steve sings with various bands, enjoys snowboarding, and is an avid golfer for fun. He wakes up every day hoping to be able to help at least 1 person.
Connect with Steve!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveferman/
