May 8

You can hire business coaches. You can join professional organizations. Or you can reach out to peers and colleagues. These options are all good and valuable. But I've found, some of the most useful advice and guidance originated from a select few people I encountered thus far during my career. I consider them my mentors.

 

Funny thing is, most of them don't know it or don't realize it. I guess I have secret mentors (well to them). But they're important to me nonetheless. When I talk with them or interact with them I'm absorbing their wisdom. During our business dealings or casual conversations I'm always on the lookout for tidbits of knowledge. Some would suggest I confide to them they're a mentor to me - but I prefer to keep their identities secret. This way, at least to me, their opinions and advice are untainted - and when I don't listen to them (even when it turns out they're right) I don't have to feel embarrassed. 

 

My secret mentors - the lessons they've taught me

They've instructed me on the fundamentals of good business and on marketing in general. They've taught me to trust my gut - if something doesn't feel right, run away. They've taught me how to talk about money with prospects and clients. And pounded into my head to get a signed contract for large, or even better all, projects. And they've schooled me on how to handle bad situations or how to make tough decisions and choices - from laying off staff to firing clients. How to deal with the rigamarole of corporate politics and the changing landscapes of client management. And how to avoid wasting efforts on lost causes.

 

I'll admit, I wish I had been a quicker study. It's taken me almost twenty years to recognize and apply the wisdom they imparted. And I still consider myself a pupil. My frailty has always been that I love what I do and I want to do it...so that whole annoyance of managing a business always dropped down the list of priorities. But finally, after many years, their lessons started to seep into my thick skull.

I don't make things pretty, I solve problems.

One of the strangest developments of my secret mentor program - I stopped taking a portfolio of prior work to new prospect meetings. Some were shocked when they asked to see my portfolio and I replied, I didn't bring one. I then explain, the work we've done for other clients doesn't necessarily reflect the work we'll do for you - we're here to solve your problem - and we'll create a solution for you. So looking at prior work isn't necessary. Then I proceed to start asking questions about what they're trying to accomplish? What their problem is?

 

Somewhere along the line, my design work became more and more infused with and intertwined with marketing. I realized that graphics accent or carry the message - and that I wanted to start shaping and crafting message too. It led to better designs, better execution, and better results. It may not be for everyone but I think great designers involve marketing instinctively. They're problem solvers - but more importantly they're insightful - and identify a problem and design a solution visually.

It was the influence of my mentors

I could get specific, and provide anecdotes for each epiphany I've had over the years. But if my secret mentors read my blog - they're decipher their secret identities. So all I can say - is along your career, identify influential people, they could be clients, colleagues, family, or friends, and seek and absorb their advice. Watch how they interact with you and with others. Talk with them about all sorts of things and scenarios. Listen and absorb. But most importantly - realize they probably know what they're talking about and apply their life lessons to your career and business and you might find success flows easier.