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Tribe of Mentors

I was recently listening to an episode of the Tim Ferris Show and realized how much value I've gained from his approach to mentorship and learning. In his book, Tribe of Mentors, he explores some of the most useful and profound bits of advice, suggestions, tips, tricks, and recommendations that he has received from some of his favorite guests over the years. While different than traditional "mentorship" in several ways, this approach has immense value.

The amount of wisdom and knowledge contained in your close circle far exceeds your expectations or realizations. The diversity of life experience and perspective that can be gained by asking good questions and listening is immense. If you seek out the right people to have conversations, you can learn more than you may think.

I've had a number of these conversations in my life recently. While everyone I have talked to would not be considered a mentor in the traditional sense (except maybe one), I've taken several unique, practical, and useful bits of advice from each conversation. By approaching people who I have immense respect for and giving them the stage to share their stories and perspectives, I've been able to take action in areas of my life where I was struggling with next steps.

By seeking an array of perspectives, by asking specific questions of people who have the experience to best answer those questions, I've been able to leverage a deeper level of expertise from a wider range of people. This isn't to say that the traditional mentorship model doesn't work! In fact, that level of 1-on-1 attention works incredibly well for those fortunate enough to garner it. The problem is that, for the majority of us, finding and developing those relationships can be challenging.

There are, however, several caveats to building your own "tribe" of mentors that must be taken into consideration. First, the tribe must consist of people with relevant knowledge and experience. The quality of advice is proportional to the achievements of the individual giving it. You have to be selective about which opinions you allow to influence your path. The other challenge is that you need to build up some social capital when going this route. Just asking for meetings and advice may fall on deaf ears if you haven't first provided value or built up a base-level relationship with these individuals.

I've found the best way to do this is to be a connector. Especially early in your career, you may not be able to provide much value through your own work or actions. A very easy way to help others, amass social capital, and deepen your own network at the same time is to connect people who may benefit from one another. I have made an email or phone introduction on several occasions that led to a long and fruitful working relationship or partnership. By bringing people together, by acting as the glue in these situations, you can build a strong network willing to help you out when needed.

While the traditional path of mentorship works well for those fortunate to experience it, building a group of mentors and taking advice from a wide range of sources can be equally beneficial, and more practical, for many. Developing a strong network, amassing social capital, and then asking the right questions is a recipe for receiving great, practical advice. This may allow you to unlock the next step in your life or career and, at the very least, you'll spend time hearing great stories from incredible people.

Hit List

The best things I've encountered this week:

What I'm reading: Scaling People by Claire Hughes Johnson

This book was written by the podcast guest below and covers several powerful and practical methods for managing teams effectively. Claire was a pivotal piece of Google in the early stages and went on to help Stripe grow and scale to the massive success it is today.

What I'm listening to: Claire Hughes Johnson on the Tim Ferris Show

This podcast was an interesting exploration in the tools that make a great leader, how to manage different types of people effectively, and how we can better manage and understand our own emotions. I took several useful notes while listening, and I'm sure you'll do the same.

What I'm also listening to: Nik Schrobenhauser on The Really Rich Podcast

I'm a big fan of Nicholas Crown and have linked his book here in the past. This podcast episode was, in my opinion, a great exploration of career trade-offs and how to decide if the path you're on is right for you. Nik's story and journey are interesting and, unfortunately, all too common. If you're making a pivot, or feeling burnt out, this episode may be helpful.

Screenshot of the Week:

Quote of the Week:

"You can go to hell without moving an inch, just focus on what you lack. You can taste heaven without leaving earth, just rejoice in what you have.”- James Clear

Let's work together

When you're ready, here are a few ways I can help you:

1. Check out the latest episodes of my podcast 🎙
2. ​Apply for 1-on-1 coaching 🏆
3. Purchase my goal-setting course 🚦