Time2Market Business Development Coaching & Consulting

Professional Development: Internal or External Career Mentor/Coach? Which would you choose?

Would you like to work with an internal Mentor (i.e., manager or executive inside your company), or an external Coach (i.e., independent professional outside of your company), for your career progression?  I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

A Wall Street Journal article on the subject noted that internal “Career Mentors Today Seem Short on Advice” and pointed out that internal mentors don’t usually work out for a number of reasons, such as:

• already being overworked themselves, and not having time for you
• no chemistry or connection with each other
• awkward or conflicting situations sometimes arise and end the relationship

What has your experience been?  What does your company offer (if anything)?  Which would you prefer and why?  We’d love to know.  Please drop me an e-mail and share your thoughts!

Leaders Shift Paradigms for Success

Last month I was looking for a leader's perspective around a few key areas that some struggle with, which include holding a vision and committing to goal achievement.  This month, I had the opportunity to hear Billie Jean King convey her story, which addressed these points very well. Her perspective shed further light on the paradigm shift that leaders need for success. From an early age, on her second day in tennis practice (!), she committed to becoming the best tennis player in the world.  She pursued and achieved top tennis rankings by the mid-70's, but her legacy includes much more which makes her stand out as a truly unique champion and leader. Her legacy includes building new professional opportunities for women in tennis, and driving a level playing field for women, i.e., equality. Throughout her career and life, Billie Jean King has moved toward, and also created, new paradigms to achieve success. 

Billie Jean King continues to live her legacy and build further success.  She shared three key learnings, which she continues to apply in her life for achievements. These three learnings can help you too!