Career Lessons from my Mentors

I am grateful, super grateful in fact. Here is why.

Over the course of my career in Human Resources, as a leader, consultant and professional contributor, and now a business owner focused on recruiting for small businesses and a career coach for hundreds of individuals across the country in more than 20 industries (whew- I need a breath!)...in jobs from Administrative Assistant, to Teacher, to Project Manager, to Engineer, to Attorney, to CFO to President and on and one the list goes, I am grateful.

Each opportunity I have had and continue to have to learn about each individual's unique career path and life is a blessing to me.

I am grateful to get to know each and every individual client, and grateful for the opportunity to work with my organizational clients. Just grateful. I do believe that it is in giving that we receive, and I can honestly say, I learn something from each and every client interaction I have. Now, I'd be lying if I said they were all good lessons- but none the less- lessons :-)

And I would not be where I am today without the kindness and generosity of many mentors I've had throughout my career journey- some formally assigned, but most- were organic relationships that cultivated over the course of time.

I once heard, 'The grass is greener where you water it.'

For my organizational and individual clients, when they are in a pinch- either looking to hire great talent or an individual who really feels stuck and needs a network, not having a network or a mentor can feel painful.

But, here is the good news I've learned: so many good humans are hungry to learn and be guided by others. And I am convinced- there are more good humans out there willing to help than not.

So, I thought I'd share 5 key lessons I have learned- whether I asked for them or not- from my mentors and clients over the course of my career.

1. The answers are obvious when you listen. Listen to heart, listen to your colleagues, listen to podcasts, listen to your family, friends and anyone close to you. Create the space and downtime to simply listen.

2. Be patient. Think of yourself as a train coming into the station- one of my mentors once told me. Slow and steady wins the race. Sometimes the answer comes when you least expect it to.

3. Hone your skills and offerings. You cannot be everything to everyone ANY of the time let alone all of the time! I remember when I started my business back in 2011, I had a serial entrepreneur who kindly took the time to meet me for breakfast and say, 'Julie- only offer a few services. Otherwise, people get confused.'

4. Trust yourself. You are the expert in your field. You know you best; you know what you need most right now. Trust your gut.

5. Timing is really everything. There is a season and a time for everything. We may want something now but in reality, had we not had a sidestep or interruption or unexpected client or turn in our career journey, we would not experience the direction, opportunity or gift in our next career move without it.

6. Have courage and faith. Courage to try, courage to go for it, courage to ask the tough questions and courage to say no when it doesn't feel right. And above all, have faith in yourself, your colleagues, and God.

If you are struggling with a career related decision of any kind- who to hire, what offer to take, how to network, how to build a business, how to build a more productive, collegial team, let's chat.