I never said I did it alone.

Since beginning the young professional development program for the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce, I have found a new value to the word 'Mentor'.  Now in my third year, I have developed relationships with three individuals who have brought such value into my life.  My first official mentor was Teri Hill.  An amazing coach, who does this full time.  I felt so blessed that she would just partner with me to help me become the young professional I should be.  She brought to me practical applications to deal with real issues.  There were times she would take out of her day, just to talk me through opportunities, or next steps.  I'm so very proud to have had Teri as my first mentor.  I tell ya- she's worth every penny!

My second mentor was Dr. Edna Rehbein.  She's the Director of the Texas State University campus in Round Rock.  As I began to understand more of what leadership looks like as a woman, she tutored me, and continues to provide excellent guidance and counsel.  Thanks to her, I have found valuable ways to give of my time, including my service on the Round Rock Chamber Board.  I'm learning so much still from the directions she has helped point me, and I am so thankful for the trailblazer she is.

I had lunch with my third mentor today.  A departure from the realm of females, Scott Alarcon is a dynamic leader, and his engaging mentorship is really challenging me to new levels.  Each time Scott and I meet we review the "homework" from our previous meeting.  Assignments have included a 3-5 year plan and measurable goals, reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Robert's Rules of Order in preparation of my first Chamber Board experience, and more.  He's taught me the value of assertiveness, and our brains just operate in a systems and relational strategy. 

Being a first born, I've often had to just figure things out for myself, but having someone like these mentors really helps pave the way to know what to expect and the best roads to travel.  Pairing mentorship with my MBA is like the 1-2 punch.  I'm learning business strategy, learning how to manage operations and technology, but then there's this guide to help you know how to really use this material in the everyday world.  Given that I'm highly relational, take this with a grain of salt, but I really see mentorship as the catalyst to an MBA education.  You always hear- its all about "who you know"... But I find its really so much more than this.  In the cases of my three mentors, I feel I could call them up at anytime, if need be, but when you work in tandem to the success of one another- that's where the magic happens.

So for those wondering how to start this whole mentoring deal, this is my advice:

1. Determine where you are, and where you need to go
2. Find someone in your life that has that type of specialty (ie. my first year, I needed practical guidance, so I brought on a Life Coach, the second year, I faced my first issues with a glass ceiling, and so I sought a successful woman in a traditional men's business, this last year- well there's just something I identified in how purposeful my third mentor is, and I knew I needed his sharpening to become the person God's calling me to be)
3. Approach your mentor by email with the idea, so they really have time to carefully consider the opportunity
4. In your email- outline what you are looking for in a mentor, how often you would like to meet, and for what duration.  My current mentor and I meet generally once a month for about an hour and a half, and we are slated to maintain our current schedule through the finish of my MBA.
5. State that the onus of scheduling the meetings will be your responsibility, if they will just make an effort to make it happen
6. You can also let them know, that should they agree, you will provide them with greater details.  You kinda already need to let them know what your goal is, but when you follow up, you can provide info like top 3 strengths and weaknesses, and top areas you would like to develop.

Then, monthly, be a responsible mentee.  If they give you homework, do it.  If you implement a strategy they gave you, provide a success report to your mentor.  They are just as much in it with you, especially when you really allow them to be apart of the journey with you.

A word of caution- Your mentor does have a busy life, like all of us.  I would suggest keeping communication to the scheduling of your appointments and within your appointments.  There have been occasions that something of a game changer was coming into play for me, and then I would just email my mentor for their advice.  Keep these to a minimum as to not become a burden.

One of the things I most look forward to is my graduation, and how I will plan to incorporate my mentors into that special day.  A successful life is certainly not a fully independent life, but one that reflects the conjoined efforts of a small community.  To my husband, my mentors and my family I dedicate this final homestretch of my MBA.