Ep. 085 - Mentoring for Moving the Dial with Andy Lopata
There are fine lines between being someone’s coach, their mentor, and their tormentor…
Having the right person to guide you through huge career moments is utterly invaluable, making the advice of an exemplary mentor like Andy Lopata priceless.
It’s a delight to once again host our first ever podcast guest, as he shares the tools that bring the best out of both sides in a masterful mentoring relationship.
Key takeaways from this episode:
You don’t have to be the font of all wisdom, so serve as a valuable connector
Be completely candid to create a trusting mentoring relationship
A great mentor also coaches
Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp
George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode
Andy Lopata: https://lopata.co.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/networkingstrategy/
Highlights:
“Rather than saying, ‘Will you be my mentor?’, ask, ‘Can I just ask your opinion on something?’ - get that opinion and build the relationship from there until it becomes natural that that person moves into that mentoring role for you.” - 6:45 - Andy Lopata
“A mentor uses their expertise and experience to guide you, whereas a coach is trained in asking the right questions - my additional caveat to that is this; a great mentor, coaches.” - 9:30 - Andy Lopata
“I’d start with leaving your ego at the door, and being willing to share your challenges, being willing to create a psychologically safe environment, and that means making yourself open and vulnerable as much as expecting your mentee to be.” - 15:30 - Andy Lopata
“If you ask clear and specific questions, and you’re respectful of people’s time, and show gratitude for that time, you won’t appear annoying. It’s being assertive, yet respectful.” - 20:00 - Andy Lopata
“As a mentor, don't just be there for your mentee when the date’s in the diary. Know when they've got a meeting that's important to them, and check in with them, see how it's gone.” - 26:50 - Andy Lopata
