Resources
The 4 Most Important Reasons You Need to Become a Mentor
“This article was originally published on Inc.com”
Fifty years ago, a fourth-grade teacher in rural Mississippi noticed something special in a little girl in her class. The teacher knew the little girl could achieve great things, but something was holding her back.
So the teacher asked her to read aloud in class to help her overcome her nerves. She spent time with the little girl after school and allowed her to choose books and help grade papers. Her influence helped the little girl see past poverty. Today, that girl has become one of the most influential women in the world: Oprah Winfrey.
Mentorship has obvious benefits for both the mentee and the mentor. You’ve probably read articles that talk about the knowledge, connections, and personal growth that mentorship can provide.
But one day, someone might reach out and ask to be mentored. Or, like Mary Duncan, you will come across someone who has potential she hasn’t yet reached.
What will you do in this situation? If you’re struggling to see the value in becoming a mentor, consider these additional advantages that mentorship can help you realize.
1. Achieve personal career gains. Mentors are people who will go the extra mile to help others and exert a positive influence on their lives. And that can lead to huge career opportunities.
Don’t believe me? Sun Microsystems did a study on the career progress of more than 1,000 employees over a five-year period. It discovered that both mentors and mentees were 20 percent more likely to get a raise than people who did not participate in mentoring. Mentors were also six times more likely to be promoted than employees who didn’t mentor. To that end, you can ask your mentees for testimonials–videotaped or written–to validate your experience when applying for positions in the future.
2. Enhance your leadership skills. When you teach someone, you truly become a master on that subject. You not only reinforce valuable leadership lessons, but you also question and refine your own thinking and approaches.
You’ll find yourself working harder to live up to the expectations of your mentee. After all, you can’t advise her to work hard and do things you aren’t willing to do yourself. With the mentee’s spotlight on you, you’ll push yourself to grow.
3. Help shape the leaders of tomorrow. Mentees will often (but not always) be younger than you. It’s easy to think the next generation needs more education while you have it all figured out.
But the truth is that Millennials are the ones creating the workplace of tomorrow. They understand trends and technology that may escape you. If you watch your mentee closely, you’ll almost certainly pick up some information or habits that are new and beneficial to you.
4. Gain the intrinsic rewards of helping others. This is the reason you hear most often, but it’s a powerful one.
I was recently working with a client who was struggling with her self-perception. Her negative thoughts were holding her back in many areas. When we peeled back the layers together, we found the root of the problem, which helped her begin to heal. That aha moment completely changed her trajectory, and she’s now taken her business to new heights.
She might not be the next Oprah Winfrey, but just knowing I had an impact on her life is a great feeling that makes the time and effort completely worth it.
Mary Duncan didn’t know the little girl in her fourth-grade class would go on to become one of the most famous and successful women in history. But Oprah credits much of her success to those afternoons with her teacher.
When you decide to mentor someone, you really have no way of knowing how far she’ll go. Whether you shape the next great entrepreneur of our time or help someone achieve her dreams, you’ll make a difference–and that’s all that matters.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards
CEO of The All Access Group, LLC
PS: The right mentor should also have the right CONNECTIONS to move you forward. Be sure to ask who they think they can bring to the table around advisorship, possible collaboration and even funding. Visit: https://allaccessgroup.com
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
5 Conversation Tools For Nurturing Your Relationship With A Mentor
“This article was originally published on LinkedIn.”
We’ve all longed for a classic mentor-mentee relationship at some point in our careers. We want someone who is savvy and seasoned. We want her to provide the perfect insights and career advice that will help us reach our goals. We want someone who will guide us to our destination.
I’ve been fortunate to have several fantastic mentors during my career at Apple and beyond — and equally as fortunate to have counted Steve Jobs as one of them. These mentors helped me get my MBA, navigate workplace politics, and chart a path to success by bolstering my self-confidence to strike out on my own to forge the unique path I’ve paved for myself.
I recommend anyone who’s just beginning her career to seek a mentor with relevant experiences who can act as a sounding board for ideas; offer feedback, guidance, insights, and wisdom; open doors within established networks; and help you avoid costly career mistakes.
But as with any relationship, you can’t just walk in the door and expect to make an instant deep connection with somebody. Relationships take time to grow. While trust takes time to build, you can use these five powerful conversation tools to make the connection more impactful each time you meet with your mentor.
1. Be reliable. Mutual respect is the foundation of any good relationship and applies to honoring the mentor-mentee relationship, as well. That means being on time and professional for scheduled conversations and meetings, giving your full attention to your mentor when you spend time together, and expressing your sincere thanks at every opportunity. Ideally, you can demonstrate that you’ve acted on your mentor’s counsel and can share your results.
2. Communicate frequently. As a mentee, it’s your responsibility to reach out to your mentor when you need her. You should express your appreciation both verbally and with your actions. Take suggestions to heart, act on them, and send regular notes to communicate your progress and how you’re applying advice. Make it clear that you’re following through so your mentor knows she’s investing her time wisely.
3. Get personal. While the meat of your mentor-mentee relationship will center on lessons you can learn from your mentor’s experience, all good relationships start with active and direct human conversations to build rapport.
Ask your mentor how she spends her free time and what interests her. What does she like to read about, and what topics catch her eye inside and outside of your shared industry? Also, what are her coaches or mentors sharing at the next level that could be instructive?
Insightful questions like these will help you reciprocate within your relationship to send along interesting links she might enjoy. It also allows you to get to know one another on a personal level, which is how you develop trusted relationships that stand the test of time.
4. Tap into hindsight. With her years of experience, it’s likely that your mentor has more insight into your career and industry than you do. Tap into these insights by asking what she would do differently if she were starting over.
Which professional organizations have been worth the investment? Which of her instincts paid off as she navigated the corporate ladder? Her experiences could help you avoid or overcome major pitfalls and challenges and optimize success in your own career.
5. Ask for honesty. Your mentor should always be straightforward with you and never hold anything back, but it’s important that you establish up front that you’re receptive to all types of feedback and that you welcome transparency. She may be the only person in your life who has this type of relationship with you and won’t sugarcoat things or placate you. That honesty will prove invaluable as you progress in your career.
As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry once said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Fortunately, it’s within your power to initiate and develop a relationship with someone who can open doors to the rest: a strategically chosen mentor with valuable experience to share who is willing to shepherd your success and growth.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards
CEO of The All Access Group, LLC
PS: The right mentor should also have the right CONNECTIONS to move you forward. Be sure to ask who they think they can bring to the table around advisorship, possible collaboration and even funding. Visit: https://allaccessgroup.com
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The Secret Weapon of Billionaire CEOs and Wildly Successful People
“My article was originally published on LinkedIn”
Picture this: You’ve launched your business, you’re turning a profit, and day-to-day operations are humming along. The company is solid, but you’ve hit a plateau. You know it’s time to take things to the next level, but you’re not sure how best to do it. You haven’t been here before.
If you’ve hit a wall, it might be time to hire a business coach. Sometimes no matter how passionate you are about your business, it takes an outsider’s perspective to see where the company is lacking and identify areas for growth. And that additional insight and shift in perspective can take moments but make a huge difference in your results and the outcome.
Business coaches can give you and your company a fresh perspective and the advantage of experience, but only if you know how to take advantage of what your coach can provide.
What Coaches Bring to the Table
If you’re unsure about working with a coach, consider that many top CEOs, politicians, and other public figures rely on coaches and mentors for feedback and guidance.
Google’s Eric Schmidt says his best advice to new CEOs is to get a coach, and former Intuit CEO Steve Bennett believes coaches are vital to ongoing professional development. Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton, and even Barack Obama have all reported using coaches on a regular basis to advance in their careers.
I myself worked with several mentors at Apple, including the late Steve Jobs. Each taught me important lessons about team-building, collaboration, workplace politics, managing time and priorities, and how to remain confident in the face of challenges.
In addition to all the great professional development advice a coach can provide, she can also give you:
- Objective feedback. Being objective about your own company is nearly impossible. You’re so immersed in the day-to-day operations and accustomed to the way things are, you’re probably missing out on ways the business could be better. A coach can offer a fresh take on your strengths and weaknesses as a CEO and on the business as a whole.
- A broader network. A good coach can cost as much as a good lawyer, but she’ll instantly prove her worth by connecting you to other powerful people who can help grow your business and advise you on how to leverage and extend your existing network.
- Fresh ideas. Good business coaches are people who have a wealth of experience in your industry, which means they will likely have encountered the challenges you currently face — and they understand what’s most critical for you. When you aren’t sure where to take your business next, a coach will often see opportunities you missed.
How to Make the Most of the Relationship
A coach can do wonderful things for you and your business, but only if you put a lot of effort into the relationship yourself.
Here’s how to empower your coach to help you take your business to the next level:
- Take responsibility. Your coach will offer guidance, but it’s up to you to implement her recommendations. Act on her suggestions, and keep her updated on how those strategies are working. Regular communication tells your coach you’re serious about the work you’re doing together. It’s an exchange and collaboration; you must do your part.
- Emphasize honesty. No matter how much you might need a pick-me-up, coaches aren’t cheerleaders. You should insist on honest, constructive assessments from your coach at all times. While everyone else might be afraid to tell you the truth about your ideas, your coach may be (and often is) the one person you should be able to count on for honest feedback at all times.
- Pick her brain. Your coach can offer a wealth of industry experience, so take advantage of that. Ask her what professional organizations are worth joining, what lessons she’s learned in her own career, and how she achieved her greatest successes. This information helps you understand how you might shape your own career trajectory.
A business coach can be a valuable asset to any executive and leader. A coach can act as a sounding board for new ideas, offer a fresh and honest perspective, and motivate you to take your business to the next level. But ultimately, the success of your business depends on you taking the initiative to work with your coach, being all-in, and making the most of the relationship.
This post was originally published on Inc.com.
A highly sought-after consultant, super-connector, trusted advisor, celebrity wrangler, and thought leader, Kelli Richards is the CEO of The All Access Group. She facilitates strategic business opportunities in digital distribution among innovative technology companies, talent and media companies, and brands to foster new revenue streams and deliver compelling consumer experiences. As a trusted advisor, she transforms the quality of people’s lives. Kelli is also the author of the bestselling e-book “The Magic and Moxie of Apple: An Insider’s View.”
Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The Ultimate Entrepreneur Pep Talk: 4 Important Affirmations for Any Innovator
“This article was originally posted on Inc. magazine”
Having a list of mantras that you can pull out of your toolkit in any situation will prepare you to turn challenges into successes.
You were prepared for the uncertainty that comes with entrepreneurship. You braced yourself for the long workdays–and for your first business failure. You were ready for just about everything–except the inner strength it takes to be your own biggest motivator.
Sure, it would be great to have your own personal coach wake you up every morning with breakfast in bed and a hearty “Go get ’em, tiger!” But that’s not likely to happen.
Nobody is waiting at the finish line to give you a medal for getting your business off the ground. Nobody is as invested in your idea as you are. You need to learn how to be your own coach, and it starts with giving yourself a killer pep talk (daily if necessary, then rinse and repeat).
If you’ve seen “Jessica’s Daily Affirmation,” you know how infectious personal motivation can be. Boosting your self-esteem won’t just add power to your day; it’s also likely to give your whole team a boost.
You don’t need to climb into your sink like Jessica to psych yourself up (though it obviously does help), but you do need a mantra. Here are four of my personal favorites:
1. “The journey is the reward.”
As an entrepreneur, the work you love doing is often overshadowed by revenue goals and other targets you put in place to gauge success. But as one of my most trusted mentors, Alan Cohen, says, “Do not be fooled by waiting for the ending. Sometimes the middle is more important.”
Rather than looking ahead and feeling dissatisfied because you aren’t where you thought you’d be (or “should” be) yet, stay present to take in the experiences around you and appreciate where you are now.
2. “Plan A is overrated.”
If Plan A doesn’t work, there are 25 other letters in the alphabet. Perfectionism can motivate you, but it can also be limiting–especially in the startup world, where markets, trends, and resources are always in flux. Often, the very best idea is the second, third, or eighteenth one that you try.
3. “No naysayers allowed.”
If you are passionate about your project and your intuition tells you that it could be successful, don’t pay too much attention to doubters. Instead, find the people who share your vision and will root for you and stand beside you when things get tough. These are the people who can help you by offering fresh ideas and perspectives–and a hearty dose of motivation. Good things happen when you work with people who believe in you and complement your strengths.
4. “Every failure is a step closer to success.”
In business, you can often learn a lot more from your failures than your successes. You learn how to adapt, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and gain new insights into your industry.
More importantly, you learn what you’re made of. You failed, yet the sun still came up in the morning. You’re still standing. And you’re probably a little wiser for the wear. When you dust yourself off and try the next idea, you’ll be better prepared and much more likely to succeed.
Having a list of mantras that you can pull out of your toolkit in any situation will prepare you to turn challenges into successes. If all else fails, a simple “You can do it!” can give you that boost you need to keep going. Remind yourself that you’ve done it before and will do it again.
Always remember that your goals are possible to achieve. Believe in yourself and your ideas. Your intuition got you this far, so trust it. Don’t ignore your own excitement. Keep the passion burning and your vision front and center at all times. It’s the perfect fuel for your dreams.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group.
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
Become an Effective Delegator
Delegation doesn’t come naturally to everyone–especially workaholic entrepreneurs. Recognize your #strengths. Tackle the things you love or do very well yourself, and then #DELEGATE the duties that slow down your productivity or otherwise aren’t a good use of your talents and time. Acknowledge and reward others for their strengths. Delegating is not only a way to decrease your workload it’s a way to channel your productivity and expertise! To read https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/the-ultimate-guide-to-delegating-for-entrepreneurs-who-hate-delegating.html
The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Delegating
“This article was originally posted on LinkedIn”
Is your to-do list a mile long? Do you spend your day in meetings and bring your work home with you because there aren’t enough hours in the workday? Do you feel as though the weight of the entire company is resting on your shoulders?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might need a refresher course on delegating.
As an entrepreneur, delegating can be hard — sometimes even downright painful. You built your business from the ground up, and your unique vision is apparent in everything from the website copy to the employee handbook. Giving up responsibility means giving up control, but it can also mean helping your business meet its goals faster and helping you build a stronger team.
If You Aren’t Delegating, You Aren’t Running an Effective Business
No matter how involved you like to be in the day-to-day operations of your business, you can’t expect to handle everything by yourself. Here are a few reasons why learning to delegate effectively is an essential aspect of running an effective business:
- You’re not a pro at everything. As your company grows and you hire employees to do specific jobs, you’ll soon realize that there are people who are better qualified to handle things like PR, accounting, website maintenance, graphic design, and customer service than you are.
- Delegation builds a stronger team. Delegating key tasks allows other team members to contribute their strengths and talents. When every team member feels invested in the business and can contribute, it takes some of the pressure off you and makes your company stronger.
- Creativity thrives in a team environment. Harnessing the diverse experiences and insights of your team gives you a much greater advantage than you’d have by solving a problem all by yourself. Brainstorming as a team can help you come up with powerful ideas, insights, and solutions you’d never have thought of on your own that may save time and money.
- Delegation increases productivity. If you stick to what you’re good at and let others handle the rest, you’ll be surprised by how much more productive you and your company will be. Likewise, allowing others on your team to perform tasks that align with their strengths will motivate them to work harder and deliver more in less time.
- The delegator is perceived as being more powerful. Many leaders fear that giving up duties and responsibilities will make them seem weak, but running a workplace effectively is a sign of a great leader. No one is great at everything; a team is only as strong as its individual members’ ability to pull together to achieve a shared vision.
4 Steps to Becoming an Effective Delegator
Delegation doesn’t come naturally to everyone — especially workaholic entrepreneurs — but there are a few simple steps that can help you delegate like a pro:
1. Recognize your strengths. Tackle the things you love or do very well yourself, and delegate the duties that slow down your productivity or otherwise aren’t a good use of your talents and time.
2. Acknowledge and reward others for their strengths. If you want your team to be as strong as possible, you must allow others to assume duties that will spur greater professional development. Don’t just think of delegating as a way to decrease your workload; recognize that it allows you to acknowledge and celebrate other team members’ strengths
3. Build a trustworthy team. The one reason entrepreneurs resist delegating responsibilities to others is a lack of trust, but if you emphasize honesty and trustworthiness from the beginning — even during the hiring process — you can build a team that you’re confident in delegating to. If you further reward transparency and open communication, others will step up and align with these ideals.
4. Tap into your network. Creating partnerships and alliances outside the company is a great way to solve problems that are beyond your team’s scope of expertise. You might hire an external social media strategist or consult with another business leader to get fresh ideas.
Freeing up your time won’t just make you more productive; it will also help maximize the skills and strengths of everyone on your team — including you. When you focus on doing what you do best and delegate everything else, you become a more effective leader andhelp grow your team’s skill set. While handing over responsibilities can be difficult, it will make your organization much stronger and far more efficient and productive in the long run.
This article was originally published on Inc.com.
A highly sought-after consultant, super-connector, trusted advisor, celebrity wrangler, and thought leader, Kelli Richards is the CEO of The All Access Group. She facilitates strategic business opportunities in digital distribution among innovative technology companies, talent and media companies, and brands to foster new revenue streams and deliver compelling consumer experiences. As a trusted advisor, she transforms the quality of people’s lives. Kelli is also the author of the bestselling e-book “The Magic and Moxie of Apple: An Insider’s View.”
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group.
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
Do you have a strong network, or do you just think you have a strong network?
Many entrepreneurs believe it’s who you know that matters, but what’s even more important is what you do with the people you know. By working to introduce and connect your connections, you can build a more lucrative network that can lead to further opportunities for you. By establishing a reputation as an effective facilitator of great relationships, you increase your chances of success.
In my most recent article in Inc., I discuss why those connections are so important and how you can be the one that brings great minds together: https://www.inc.com/kelli-richards/the-super-connector-s-guide-to-making-powerful-business-introductions.html
Wearable Technology – iWatch and Wait
Formally known as “The Apple Watch,” Apple again forces us all to ask one existential question: What is it? Is it a bird? A plane? A watch, computer, bracelet, phone, or tablet? Now, you might be saying: Smart watches aren’t a new idea. But, in the end, Apple really does just do everything better. Jon Ivey, Senior VP of design at Apple declares, in the iWatch film, “It’s driven Apple from the beginning, this compulsion to take incredibly powerful technology and making it accessible, relevant and ultimately, deeplyl personal.”
In the iWatch, it seems like Apple has done just that; bringing recognizable Apple design and technology to a smaller, wearable, more personal scale. Whereas other smart watches look just like that; a smart watch. The “iWatch” is a completely different beast. To begin with, it’s a beautiful watch. It’s a classy analog, stainless steel time piece. It’s also a colorful, dynamic, fit exercise partner. Or, it’s a relaxed fit, leather bound daily personal assistant.
Imagine taking the iPad and shrinking it down. Or perhaps take the iPhone plus, shrink it down; now you have the iPad mini, shrink that down, shrink it down again, and again, and throw it on your wrist. It has your favorite application capabilities, from your music, to messages, to fitness monitor, and email. You know all the ways you can customize your iPad? With Apple smart cases and covers? Well, the iWatch offers over two million combinations of watch display from analog to digital and landscape mode, to varying selections regarding band.
Possibly the coolest feature of the iWatch, however, is its most subtle dynamic: a digital touch function. Basically, you can get a friend’s attention, who also has an iWatch, by just tapping, or writing on your iWatch. They sync and your written message appears on your friends display. Anything from, a quick reminder to pick up milk, to a simple, “Hello,” is easily captured with an easy, fast touch of the wrist. Now that’s cool.
So while Apple has been raving about their new release of the iPhone 6, basically joining Samsung in the phablet craze, (and when it comes to that particular product, they remind us that The Next Big Thing has actually been here for quite some time), I’ll just sit back and wait for the next LITTLE Thing, and it’s release in “early 2015.”
THIS is the ultimate in wearable computing – done in the ultimate best way. Steve Jobs would definitely be proud.
Kelli Richards,
CEO of The All Access Group, LLC.
Music and Your Brand: Five Ways to Tune Your Demographic In With the Right Band
Attention is a scarce resource—and that means it’s a costly one. In a world of hundreds of competing voices, art and music have become a powerful way to bring a brand back into the spotlight. The perfect example? The “marriage” of Alicia Keys and Blackberry.
Blackberry didn’t just bring Keys in as a spokesperson, either; it made her its creative director. That wasn’t just some made-up title to give the “Girl on Fire” credibility; Keys has brought in some stellar ideas to create user (and fan) engagement.
For her first act, Keys shot videos in every location of her tour, and she invited local fans and residents of those locales to send their own photos to include in the video clips. Photos chosen went on Alicia Keys’ on-stage video projection.
Now that is a huge win around user experience—one of the fastest ways to turn engagement into ROI.
Make It Relevant
Right now, consumer brands are marketing more and more with music and entertainment. In fact, it’s become so important that some major brands have started their own record labels—including Red Bull, Scion, Mountain Dew, and Converse.
Why? Music is a powerful way to create a cultural connection and engage with an audience while drawing your product even closer to your demographic’s lifestyle.
Being hip, cool, relevant, and present as a brand is important, but the more important issue can be the cost to your image if you resist popular trends. (Just one example: Levi’s missed the hip-hop boom, and it cost the company $1 billion in sales—in one year.)
Tuning in isn’t just a smart way to connect with your audience; it can be vital to your brand’s survival.
The New ‘A&R’
Brands are becoming a trusted source for breaking hip underground artists to the mainstream media. The iTunes team at Apple (my alma mater) chose specific, obscure artists to create buzz around the launch of iTunes.
That curating practice was really a form of Artist and Repertoire (or A&R), which used to be the domain of a record company. An “A&R” role—which I once did for EMI Music prior to launching the music vertical at Apple—was responsible for cultivating new talent for a label. Now, brands are performing that role themselves.
By partnering with artists who fit your audience, you can create the perfect exposure for your brand to the right people. Here are a few ways to start:
- Find the right sound. If you don’t know which artists may make sense for your brand, hire people who do, or spend time online and on social media networks researching what your audience is listening to. Just ask and explore; they’ll tell you which artists you’ll want to pursue further.
- Target your age group. Brands vying for the attention of younger audiences—especially those 13-25—must be tuned into the entertainment world, especially when tie-ins between brands and bands are core to success. By partnering with exactly the right artistic act, you’ll net far more attention—and credibility—with your target audience.
- Get in touch. Many brands are approaching artists directly. If the artist is signed, the label may be involved, but it’s best to start with the artist’s manager (if an established band) or the artist directly (when a rising indie artist).
- Go where your audience is. Music festivals create the perfect audience for a brand. You’ll place yourself in front of thousands of viewers and kindle a shared passion with your artists’ fans. There are lots of music festivals catering to diverse audiences; find your niche.
- Unify and balance. Merging the needs of artists, brands, and fans can create powerful results. When an artist has a song that ties into the theme of a brand campaign, it resonates with the audience and is doubly powerful.
Behind the Music
There’s nothing quite like a smart, well-executed match between a brand and an artist. When Rihanna debuted her clothing line for River Island during London Fashion Week, she helped generate buzz and boost awareness in the United States around the UK-based clothing brand.
When Panic at the Disco partnered with Honda Civic for the Honda Civic Tour in 2008, the group created an original, exclusive song for Honda’s Civic commercial. The band reached a much broader audience, which resulted in higher CD and ticket sales, and Honda was on the cutting edge with a new kind of branded content.
Apple’s commercial for the launch of the MacBook Air featured a soundtrack from a little-known artist, Yael Naim. “New Song,” which was recorded in Naim’s Paris apartment, jumped up the charts and subsequently led to a wildly popular US tour—and critical success.
Those are just a few examples; dozens of artistically interesting campaigns have benefited from the touch of a complementary musical act. That creative matchmaking is different every time, and it brings a new, fresh twist to a brand’s perception.
The reason is simple: By its nature, music is both emotional and powerful. That’s why fans gather around their favorite artists, creating strong, tightly knit subcultures. Tuning into those communities can be the difference between becoming “white noise” and making a truly engaged connection—and that’s every advertising campaign’s goal.
This post was originally published on Marketing Profs.
How to Harness Power Like a Celebrity.
Three strategies of the stars that business professionals can use to make a difference in the world and do things that truly matter to them.
In the mid-1990s, Apple ran a series of insightful ads entitled “Power Is,” featuring several celebrities describing what power meant to them.
Spike Lee said power is succeeding when the odds are against you and you have a constant desire to learn. George Clinton, on the other hand, shared that power is the ability to motivate, communicate, and reinvent you. Marlee Matlin described power as having confidence, no limits, and the freedom of expression.
Simply by their celebrity status, all these people have a certain amount of power–a power to live how they want, influence others’ perspectives, and motivate people to take action. Of course, this power has its downside. How would you like your every move publicly dissected? But if celebrities treat that reality with respect and use it to uplift, inspire, and encourage others, then they can make a real difference–as well as a profit from their brand and their reach.
The question is: How do everyday people–specifically entrepreneurs–obtain this power?
While there is such a thing as “overnight success,” most celebrities work hard over a long period of time to reach their powerful status. Here are three strategies of the stars that business professionals can use to make a difference in the world and do things that truly matter to them:
1. Build Your Tribe
Who you align yourself with affects your values, reputation, success, and often your financial well-being. Most success stories involve individuals surrounded by people they trust who share their values and genuinely have their best interests at heart.
Take Oprah Winfrey, for example. She has had consistent support from incredibly loyal staff, close friends, and colleagues who have stood by her for decades. Personally, she’s benefitted tremendously from the mentor relationship she enjoyed with the late Dr. Maya Angelou, as well as from her long-time partner, Stedman Graham, and her best friend, Gayle King.
Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre’s business partnership with Beats is another great example of a professional relationship that was mutually beneficial. Beats proved to be highly profitable for both of them in its recent sale to Apple–something that may have been more challenging to do if not for the power of their partnership.
2. Pursue New Ventures
If you’ve had success as an entrepreneur once, you already know how to make something from nothing. Now, you have the ability to take your experience, resources, and prominence to create new businesses that fulfill a lifelong dream or generate revenue streams for a cause–or both.
Actor Paul Newman founded Newman’s Own in 1982 with pal A.E. Hotchner after his homemade salad dressing became a hit with friends. The company’s offerings have expanded, but always with the purpose of donating all proceeds to charities. To date, the amount contributed has surpassed $300 million.
Among other entrepreneurial endeavors, Sandra Bullock opened the eco-friendly Austin, Tex.-based Bess Bistro. She must love this pursuit because she was involved in every detail of making it come together.
3. Explore Other Interests
If you look at most celebrities’ resumes, you’ll notice a large number of multihyphenates–people with multiple job titles. It’s rare to truly excel in a number of areas, but many talented people who work hard can do it. Don’t feel like you have to stay in one industry or skill set. Branching out can often create multiple sources of income and fulfillment.
Take Beyoncé Knowles, for example. She doesn’t stop with music–she’s built a business empire endorsing companies like H&M, creating a line of fragrances, and heading up a successful clothing company. It’s no wonder she topped the Forbes Celebrity 100 list.
You should also use a variety of tactics to engage with your audience via social networking. It’s what Hillary Clinton calls “smart power” (i.e., finding ways to connect with people so they can then influence their governments). While Clinton’s celebrity status often distracts from her work, she’s excellent at using her power to engage and empower youth, women, and entrepreneurs as she works toward change.
You may not be a “celebrity” to the general public, but if you’re successful in your field, there are likely a number of people who know who you are. As your recognition grows, the number of people you influence will increase. In all of these cases, the celebs referenced have used their power and influence to make a difference in a way that allows them to invest their heart, soul, energy, passion, time, and even money into something they love. That’s real power.
What will you do with your power?
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, CEO of The All Access Group.
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
The right mentor will also have the right CONNECTIONS to move any effort forward. Be sure to ask who they think they can bring to the table around advisorship, possible collaboration and even funding.
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