Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

Business productivity is all about having the right people, even though I’m bombarded daily with online tools and mobile apps that promise to solve every problem with automation and data. In reality, business success and satisfaction is about doing the right things at the right time, which requires leadership and coaching.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 15, 2017

In my experience working with startups, the best approach these days is to find and use a good mentor (been there, done that). Of course, mentoring is not new – it’s been the favored way to learn arts and crafts since way back in the middle ages. But I assert that mentoring in business is making a comeback.

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Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

Millennials have come a long way in business since I started writing about them over ten years ago. They started out as that spoiled generation of kids, born between about 1982 and 2004, who had everything, and could care less about business. Their success is now vital to our success.

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2013

I’m a big fan of mentoring in business, and have been at different times on both the contributing and receiving end of the process. These days, I seem to often hear from entrepreneurs who are struggling to find a mentor, or complaining about their lack of effectiveness.

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Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2019

Millennials have come a long way in business since I started writing about them nearly ten years ago. They started out as that spoiled generation of kids, born between about 1982 and 2004, who had everything, and could care less about business. Their success is now vital to our success.

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Tips Mentor Coach Guide 127

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 24, 2017

We all know some peers in business who could use some coaching to unleash their potential and optimize performance, but would you know how to do the job if they asked you for help? In an effort to help myself, I read a new book on this topic, “ The Master Coach ,” by Gregg Thompson. Self-centered members need coaching.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 21, 2012

I’m a big fan of mentoring in business, and have been at different times on both the contributing and receiving end of the process. These days, I seem to often hear from entrepreneurs who are struggling to find a mentor, or complaining about their lack of effectiveness.

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Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 7, 2013

When Ethan was considering leaving Google we talked about it. I acted as the occasional mentor, advisor and coach to Ethan. What do we like about OpenTable? Ethan took great inspiration in this from Alex Rampell of TrialPay (an advisor to the company) who had written about this concept of “ Service as a SKU.”

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Both Sides of the Table

JULY 19, 2015

Yesterday I saw two biopic films: “ Amy ” about the life of Jazz sensation Amy Winehouse who died of alcohol poisoning at the age of 27 and “ Montage of Heck ” about the life of Kurt Cobain , the grunge-rock generational voice who died of an overdose of heroin and valium at the age of … 27.

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Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 22, 2023

As an experienced business professional and mentor, I find that most successful peers will admit that they love what they do. From all the rest, I often hear the complaints about lack of motivation, boring job assignments, and bad management. Every day becomes an opportunity to feel good about your capabilities and contributions.

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Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 13, 2012

The dictionary definition of a mentor is “an experienced and trusted advisor,” or “leader, tutor or coach.” The big difference, of course, is that a mentor looks ahead to help you, while a critic looks backward to tell you what you did wrong. One of the key characteristics of a successful mentor relationship is trust.

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Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

As a long-time mentor to new entrepreneurs and business owners, I have noticed that many no longer associate more fulfillment and satisfaction with more money, power, and success. It seems that fulfillment to these new entrepreneurs is all about changing the world and legacy. Mentor others to share what you have learned.

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Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 11, 2022

Works with other team members on mutual aspirations (coach metaphor). It is not about leaders becoming coaches; it’s about leaders letting themselves be coached by others – advisors, team members, and even customers. Think about who could help you reflect-on-action.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2023

I’m fully convinced that success is all about you rather than the market. In this context, I was impressed with the insights provided in a new book, “ Stay Sane In An Insane World ,” by peak performance coach Greg Harden. We all have strengths and weaknesses. Take time to charge your batteries regularly.

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Mentor Startup Coach Satisfaction 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2022

These authors reference real cases and real business leaders, based on their decades of experience in building companies and executive coaching. I offer here their summary of purposes and inspirations that have motivated existing business leaders, with insights from my own mentoring and coaching experience.

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Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2022

In fact, I have found from personal experience and mentoring that both of these are necessary, but not sufficient, for building a business. Entrepreneurs often complain about the amount of time wasted in meetings, because one of the team members just wants to be heard, or feels that what he or she has said is not valued.

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Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2010

The dictionary definition of a mentor is “an experienced and trusted advisor,” or “leader, tutor or coach.” The big difference, of course, is that a mentor looks ahead to help you, while a critic looks backward to tell you what you did wrong. One of the key characteristics of a successful mentor relationship is trust.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 9, 2023

Don’t immediately talk about your business problems or needs, but get acquainted first with common connections or even non-work topics or hobbies. Nothing kills a potential relationship quicker than immediately complaining about your problems or other people. Quickly seek common interests from new relationships.

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Networking Mentor Conference Summary 104

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 11, 2022

Nobody cared about our valuations any more. If they didn’t care about him they certainly didn’t care about me or Jason Lemkin or Jason Calacanis or any of us. I wrote a post in 2015 that memorialized at the time how I felt about all of this, titled, “ Why I F **g Hate Unicorns and the Culture They Breed.”

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Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

In my role as a mentor to business professionals and entrepreneurs over the years, I have found that it’s important to take a hard look at the relationships around you on a regular basis. But, like most other skills, you can learn from these priorities: Everyone benefits from active mentoring. A good coach is not a critic.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 1, 2022

In my experience as an advisor and mentor to entrepreneurs in business, one of the biggest failures I see is a lack of self-leadership. Think about the questions that you are asking your advisors. If necessary, use a strengths coach, and always start a business which highlights your signature strengths.

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Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2022

During my many years of mentoring professionals and entrepreneurs in business, I more often see people focusing on how to get their ideas heard , than how to promote themselves. Take full advantage of every mentoring and coaching opportunity, and network with peers both inside and outside the company.

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Tips Social Media Mentor Technical Review 121

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2022

I enjoyed her recommendations and real-life stories as well as her self-coaching advice, which I will paraphrase here, combined with my own insights from the field: Take a hard look in the mirror to see yourself today. Mentors and coaches are always willing to help you find creative ways around roadblocks, even ones you don’t even see.

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SoCal CTO

MAY 13, 2014

The conversation with Bob was about what the composition of advisors should look like. But, advisors, coaches, and mentors can often fill the bill. In creating Mentor Night , I’ve been happy to hear how giving most people are. Here’s the other aspect that both Tony and I preach: get help. That’s great advice.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 3, 2022

As a mentor to many early business leaders, I always emphasize that need to switch from a product focus to a team focus. Curiosity and a level of optimism about the future are good indicators of employee engagement. You need to use active listening to unlock the underlying causes, and start giving your best encouragement and mentoring.

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Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Workship - Mentor. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be. Workship - Advocate. Workship - Trailblazer.

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Mentor Competition Summary Coach 91

Both Sides of the Table

DECEMBER 17, 2012

I have often written about how lonely it can be to be a CEO and and have very few people with whom you can talk about difficult situations. I wonder sometimes if founders even know about the hours their lawyers or advisers put in on evenings, weekends, vacations. EXECUTIVE COACHES. He called to try and put things right.

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Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2022

As I talk to business owners and entrepreneurs, I’m surprised at how many complain about team members who feel taken for granted , or have contributions not appreciated. As an advisor and mentor, I’m always looking for more ways to improve communication, get people more engaged , and get more done.

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Coach Organization Technical Review Satisfaction 119

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 4, 2013

Workship - Mentor. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be. Unlike the mentor, who is a coach and teacher, the advocate inspires you to be the best that you can be. Workship - Advocate. Workship - Trailblazer.

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Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2020

Make sure your negotiations are never perceived as manipulating, but about explaining to the other party the benefits of your proposal to both of you. Spend more time coaching and mentoring your team. They must be inspired by your coaching to create a better future for everyone.

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Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 15, 2021

In my role as business advisor, I’m hearing more and more about workers who seem to be doing less and demanding more. Top performers want to know how to stand out, and business leaders need to know how to better recognize and mentor aspiring superstars before they burn out, or move on to new opportunities.

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Demand Mentor Startup Coach 123

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 24, 2023

In addition, I recommend speed mentoring for those of you that love to help others resolve their challenges, rather than jumping in to do the job for them, jeopardizing your own ability to meet personal commitments, or raise your stress level to unhealthy highs. Move on to other activities in a timely fashion, with a calm and courteous exit.

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Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 21, 2022

A quick exit may send the wrong message, and will always leave your team member with qualms about your sincerity, or your real understanding of the work accomplished. We all need more time to focus on positive results, rather than hear coaching only on things gone wrong. Encourage them to do more of the same.

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Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Yet I find in my mentoring practice that more and more team members prefer the human-centered approach and respond with more engagement and commitment. Wisdom is all about the why of any business situation. Show humility by being honest about mistakes.

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Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2022

Yet I find, as a mentor and outside consultant, that many of you focus only on working conditions and compensation as the key factors determining team engagement , health, and productivity. In business, this is all about the company values and purpose that give meaning and direction to your team. Spiritual connections.

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Technical Review Mentor Social Media Customer 141

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2019

Works with other team members on mutual aspirations (coach metaphor). It is not about leaders becoming coaches; it’s about leaders letting themselves be coached by others – advisors, team members, and even customers. Think about who could help you reflect-on-action.

Coach 96

Coach Framework Entrepreneur Tool 96

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

I can attest that he was always seeking relationships with other more mature executives, and even today maintains a mentoring relationship with Warren Buffett. Be transparent, yet positive, about the challenges ahead. That means public recognition of individual achievements, providing feedback, and coaching and mentoring along the way.

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