Bills Note: I have several mentors, some living, some no longer with us. Some are examples of what to DO and some are examples of what NOT to do. I am constantly learning. And I believe All good leaders should be invested in the growth of their team members…as invested as they are…ie we match energy with energy.
5 Famous Business Leaders on the Power of Mentorship
By Laura Entis Entrepreneur.Com August 6, 2015
When questioned about their career trajectories, you’ll find that most successful entrepreneurs credit a mentor or mentors. It’s the men and women who are able to sponge up the wisdom of others – and then pay it forward by becoming mentors themselves – who set themselves apart.
Richard Branson: credits his oddball Uncle Jim for teaching him an important lesson: When everyone else thinks your idea is crazy, that may be a sign you’re really onto something.
Mary Berra CEO of GM: “Some executives credit one or two key people for coaching them to success, I believe effective mentoring takes a network.”
“When building your network of mentors, be honest about your goals, and how hard you are willing to work to achieve them. Then turn to those who best know you and your work. Earn their respect and trust so they will extend their personal capital to you with confidence and be your professional champion.
Suze Orman: “The key to being a good mentor is to help people become more of who they already are vs make them more like you.”
Michael Bloomberg: “My mentor didn’t teach by lecturing – he taught by leading, by example. On most mornings, he’d be the first one in the office. He was a good listener, he was his own man, he made his own decisions, and he didn’t look back.”
Robert Herjavec, Shark Tank “ My most memorable moment with a mentor was completely unplanned. I was having a conversation with my boss Warner Avis, the founder of Avis Rent a Car. Avis led me to an office window and, pointing to a hot-dog vendor down below, he “told me that I was acting like the vendor – pushing product, and doing all the work to make a living.” He followed that statement with, ‘You need to be the guy supplying the dogs to all the vendors if you ever want to scale.’”
And his best advice ever;
“Stop the ‘will you be my mentor?’ emails and start being present to embrace the learning opportunities all around you. Ask your colleagues and executive team members for their points of view. Seek advice from your direct leader or leader once removed. Start having conversations and soaking in the mentorship moments.”
Live with Intention,
Dr Bill
About Dr Bill Toth
Bill’s Background
I’m just an average guy who’s learned a few things about Life, Success and Personal Development – thanks to some incredibly good and bad experiences during the past 25+ years. I’ve made many mistakes and have learned to combine down to earth values with a unique ability to distill complex concepts into simple powerful strategies which can be immediately applied to produce measurable results. In short;
“I’ve traveled the territory, drawn a few maps and I’m happy to share them”
I do not consider myself to be an “expert” and my work is never presented as the definitive doctrine on how you should live your life or what it takes to be successful in your business. I am a work in progress and if you were to you join me on life’s journey by hiring me as your coach or partnering with us in business – our learning will very likely be a two way street. In fact, I expect it to be.
“What you know dies with you – what you DO leaves a legacy”
I was raised in upstate New York and eastern Pennsylvania. This rural upbringing is strongly reflected in my personal value hierarchy: Faith > Family > Friends > Fitness and Finance.
Education and a commitment to continuous improvement are next on the list. All these and more are strongly reflected in my coaching, teaching, writing and speaking.
While growing my private practice I also taught Orthopedics and Neurology at both the undergraduate and graduate level, produced a TV show on fitness, appeared on numerous radio and TV programs, authored numerous journal articles, chapters for medical texts, served as vice-president of my state medical association, and started a family. I have had the honor and privilege of consulting with and coaching a diverse population of people from royalty to prisoners, from children to CEO’s, from amateur to professional athletes from 41 countries and people of almost every race, creed, religious belief and nationality.
I am passionately committed to contribution and Living With Intention. Part of my philosophy is to think globally while acting locally. I am a very active member of my church, as well as several community organizations. After church, my favorite philanthropy is the Nourish the Children. I have also performed extensive volunteer work for both the Anthony Robbins Foundation, and the Make a Wish Foundation.
Why become an Entrepreneur?
I became an entrepreneur because after 5 years of Health Care Reform I found I was merely an employee of the various insurance company’s I was interacting with. I became painfully aware I was working more hours for less money and that what I was doing wasn’t working!
At the same time my beautiful daughter, Casey, was born. This was the first time in my life I started to think about my future, and of course hers. When children come into your life, your perspective changes from Firebirds and Ferrari’s to Gymnastics, music lessons, horseback riding and so forth. Suddenly, I had to think longterm – was what I was doing going to provide all the things that a father wants for his children?
In October of 1998 I started my entrepreneurial endeavors on a very part time basis. Less than 3 months later my New Year’s Resolution was to put my practices up for sale. In May of 1999 I sold them and began to work on my dreams and my fortune on a full time basis. From there, it took me a full five years to get to the point where I could do whatever I wanted to do. Along the way I wrote my first book: “Morning Moments”…as well as learning a few things about money, transitioning careers and happiness. I am happy to share what I know, in short again;
“I’ve traveled the territory, drawn a few maps and I’m happy to share them”
In summary; Transitioning careers was the hardest challenge I’ve ever taken up and it’s been the most rewarding! In so many ways, this is the very best personal development seminar I’ve ever taken because I met mySelf and my wife in the process…and every perceived adversity was worth it.
Today, with my wife Julie, we “get to” pay the gift forward by coaching, mentoring others through the same process. There is no greater pleasure than showing others how to earn their freedom and then observing what good they do with it.
Life Will Never Be The Same
