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Volume 4 - Issue No. 5 | May 2014

Mentoring Corner
Yes, I'm concerned about you.  If you don't have a mentor, I'm REALLY worried - but chances are that you DO and you're just not using them properly.  Here are 7 things you can do to build a strong and productive foundation with your mentor... 
Remember, at the core, there is nothing more valuable for your personal AND professional growth than finding the right mentor to guide and challenge you, but it is not a transaction. It's a relationship, and as with any relationship, it can be easily destroyed if you don't take good care of it.

 

1. Develop clarity around WHY you want a mentor. Before you meet with your mentor, ask yourself what type of help you are seeking and what qualities you hope to find in a mentor. Are you looking for someone with an entirely different skill set from yours? Someone who will call it like it is, even if it hurts? Knowing your own reasons for seeking a mentor will help you establish meaningful goals together.

 

2. Be OPEN and TRANSPARENT. You must be completely honest with your mentor about every aspect of your career - your hopes and fears, your strengths and weaknesses, your ideas, goals and highest aspirations. Your mentor will be able to have meaningful insights to enable him or her to propel you forward.

 

3. Set SMART goals. When creating goals, make sure they're SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-bound. Review your goals every so often to make sure you are on the right track. If not, revisit and realign.

 

4. Decide when and how you will COMMUNICATE. Meeting regularly and face-to-face, or communicating mainly through phone and e-mail; once you've established what form of communication will take, don't forget to discuss duration and frequency.

 

5. Be PREPARED for your sessions. It means coming to the conversation with a specific focus and a list of key questions. Be punctual, well organized, and ready to give a brief update on recent progress. Don't hesitate to propose an agenda for the conversation.

 

6. Build TRUST and RESPECT. Mentoring is a sacrifice for both parties, but especially for the mentor. Be respectful of their time, boundaries and other priorities in life. Do everything you can to avoid trust-breaking behaviors.

 

7. Be RECEPTIVE to criticism. Your collaboration is mostly for your benefit, so it is vital that you never take it for granted. Be open and receptive to feedback as well as criticism.

 

Finally, keep in mind that your mentor is likely to give a lot more than you do in the relationship. Focus on the relationship, not the results, and always make sure to express often that you value and appreciate your mentor's guidance.

 

Until next time,

Kelli Richards
CEO of The All Access Group, LLC


Where to find Kelli

 

 

 

 

The SF MusicTech Summit brings together visionaries in the evolving music/business/technology ecosystem, along with the best and brightest developers, entrepreneurs, investors, service providers, journalists, musicians, and organizations who work with them at the convergence of culture and commerce.

 

 

 

June 4-6, Alan Weiss' Mentor Summit, Los Angeles, CA

(Alan shares best practices with his Master Mentors)

  

 

 

Kelli Joins Forces with SiVal Advisors

  

Cupertino, CA - April 10, 2014 - Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group LLC, a trusted mentor and consultant, coach, international speaker, talent producer, and two-time #1 Amazon Bestselling author has recently launched a collaboration with SiVal Advisors LLC, a well known boutique Silicon Valley investment bank led by Managing Partner and Co-Founder Jan Robertson.

Founded in 2002 SiVal advises clients on a wide variety of merger & acquisition and financial advisory engagements, with particular emphasis on technology and emerging growth companies.

 

 

 

Book of the Month!

  

"Straight Line Leadership"

 
Dusan Djukich is regarded as "the ultimate performance catalyst to business" and this book demonstrates why -- revealing exactly what it takes to live a powerful and effective life both personally and professionally. You don't have to be a CEO to appreciate the value of this wisdom -- anyone looking to make a difference will benefit from reading this important book!

 

 

In This Issue
Mentoring Moment
Where is Kelli
Quote of the Month
Follow Kelli Online
Share this newsletter with a friend!

Quote of the Month

\
"The instant we start making a conscious effort to let go of the stress (that often defines our success), so much becomes available for us to CREATE.  To create more time, better relationships, much needed inner calm, and new projects.  It's remarkable how much energy is unleashed and available to us, when we just let go. (and Trust)." 

Source unkown
 

All Access Radio

 

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All Access Radio is has reached its one millionth download!
(Yes, that's 1,000,000.) And we couldn't be more excited.  
Each week I chat with Leaders, Authors and Disruptors that are reshaping the world as we know it. Do you have what it takes to be part of All Access Radio?

If you are looking to change the world in a big way, we want to hear from you!  
Reach out to my producer at [email protected]
 
"All Access Radio" airs live every Monday evening at 5pm PST. 
 
 
FEATURED Interview

Zen Master and Founder of Zen Monastery Peace Center

 

 

UPCOMING Interviews

 

 

 

Nancy Duarte
Founder, Duarte Inc
May 12th

 

 

 

  

Steve Hayden
Vice Chairman and Chief Creative Officer for Ogilvy Worldwide
June 9th

 

Call-in live at (626) 696-8608 on Monday evenings at 5pm PST or listen online, on demand, by clicking the link below to access the entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries, and to access the Monday Night Q&A at 5pm PST live each week. 

 

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