This week, more than 10,000 women in 43 cities around the country participated in Bizwomen's annual Mentoring Monday event — a spin on networking designed to get you as much valuable advice as possible in a two-hour period. Think speed dating, but with coaching from top women of all backgrounds and industries.
So naturally, in our conversation this week, we asked you about the best advice your mentors (formal or informal) ever gave you.
Here were your replies (lightly edited for brevity and clarity):
"Not making a decision is making a decision. You're just letting someone else make it."
—Bobbi Govanus
"In my late 20s, I was in a meeting with a bunch of high-level Microsoft executives and was on the PR team for their business. I wanted to ask a specific question, but didn't; I thought it might be stupid. Shortly thereafter, someone else asked it. My boss at the time, who was a wonderful mentor, later told me: 'You are a smart woman. If you are curious about it, probably lots of people are.' It taught me to trust my instincts."
—Gaby Adam
"We can't be perfect at everything. Prioritize your list."
—Shelia Marable
"Know what boundaries you're not willing to cross before you ever find yourself in a compromising situation."
—Mardia Dennis Shands
"Don't be a perfectionist. Done is beautiful."
—Donna Meindt Mitchell
"My mentor told me, 'I can help you with the tools to stay in the room, but your advocate will make sure you get in the room. Know your audience and make every interaction worthwhile.'"
—Tywauna Hardy Wilson
"I was delighted to be on of the mentors at the second-annual Kansas City Mentoring Monday event. I met with eight women for seven minutes each. Five of the eight came without business cards. If you are attending a 10K run, do you show up without running shoes? The No. 1 basic networking tip: Suit up. Show up. Be prepared to play."
—Mary A. Redmond
"My mentor told me not to say 'I' in public forums. Instead, use 'we.' He said it made me look insecure and exclusive to say, 'I wrote the plan. I completed this' — that almost all projects, even if you're about the only person working on it, probably had input from others. If you say 'we did this' or 'we did that,' it makes others feel included, needed and a part of the team.
He also made sure I knew that it was important to point out what I did well to a manager, especially at my annual-review discussions. Ultimately, there is a time and place to toot your own horn."
—Amy Minash
"I was told to be involved and give back to my community. I was also told that I didn't have to know everything, that there are people that are there to help, encourage and teach me along the way."
—Sally Jo Harrison
"I was in my early 20s and on the fast track with a national nonprofit organization. My mentor, a woman, pointed out that I was frequently 'giving away my power.' That stung, but she was so right. She offered me a challenge: 'As soon as you realize how powerful you really are, you'll be unstoppable.' Here's to being unstoppable — and to each of us claiming our most powerful, effective selves."
—MCorr Consulting
"To never, ever give up."
—Lisa Colegrove Copeland
"Don't compare yourself to others. The pace you get promoted is the pace intended for you, so do your career path your way. As long as you work hard and take steps toward your dream career, you’re living the dream."
—McKenzi Loid
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