Fast Five: Finding Mentors

Our knowledge, wisdom, experience, and perception are both imperfect and limited. Mentors can help us work within our limitations. We can acquire mentors in different domains - our job, hobbies, interests. 

Overconfidence in our beliefs and process informs hubris. Overconfidence exposes us to errors. Mentors provide feedback, ask relevant questions, and modify our perspective. 



Tim Ferriss suggests that we are the average of the five people with whom we associate most. We define our truth. 

Kentucky Coach John Calipari has a personal "board of directors" with whom he meets several times yearly. Could we do the same? If so, whom would we impanel? 

Consider seeking mentors in literature and communications (e.g. books and podcasts). Aristotle, Lincoln, or Marcus Aurelius sustain thought leadership through time. Our mentors sharpen our process. 

Atul Gawande, author of The Checklist Manifesto, Better, and Being Mortal enlisted an experienced surgeon to oversee some of his cases to suggest improvements on technique and process. As a young Navy doctor, I often lunched with senior physicians. My colleagues asked, "why are you eating with those old guys?" I answered, "they know stuff and willingly share." 

Want to improve. Mentors add value to us that we can redistribute. Their legacy literally informs ours. Sideline our ego not by asking "am I right" but by seeking "how can I improve?"

Ask better questions. What's specifically wrong? Can we do this better, simpler, smarter? I use Michael Useem's "question set" from The Leadership Moment. 

• What went well?
• What went poorly?
• How can we do better next time?
• What are the enduring lessons? 

Understand meta-attention, attention to attention. Improve the contrast and the vividness of the picture before us. When you got out of bed this morning, which foot hit the floor first (my left)? We train our attention and memory just as athletes train their muscles. 

Explore ways to enhance your strengths. Mindfulness exercises encourage focus. 





10 Best Ideas: What do the world's best do?

1. What would this look if it were easy?
2. Macro versus micro. "Decisions determine destiny." Focus on now.
3. What failure helped you succeed? 
4. "Crush one platform." Manage your energy. "The main thing is the main thing."
5. Self-esteem is how you see your reputation. Improve your personal reputation.
6. Extreme ownership...via the Navy SEALs. 
7. Make your life what you want. 
8. "Discipline equals freedom." Our process defines us. 
9. Ask better questions. 
10.Honor the struggle. It's the grind. 

We take life's raw materials, refine them into intermediate goods and finished product. We can always do it better with a little help.