AI vs. Advisor: Winning the Executive Career Game with the Human Touch
Executives face a multitude of challenges when it comes to managing their careers. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing integration into
Mentoring! If one were to do the equivalent of a keyword search for the number of pop-ups of this word in conversations, and if advertisers were to get into the fray, one could literally put one’s money where one’s mouth is!!
A lot of people, irrespective of level, have difficulty appreciating the role of a mentor, and finding one thereafter. Since career paths invariably come with vicissitudes, finding someone who has more years under his/her belt, and can help you maneuver tight situations, is highly valuable. During a talk with some young leaders at a career advice forum, I shared the following:
An example I frequently share is that of vacation planning. When you meet a travel consultant, you may have a few ideas to start off with– a beach spot or a mountain for trekking etc. However, you must zero in on the destination after a few discussions. How else will you book tickets and take off? And it is when I am asked by a smart youngster that he or she is very clear about the destination from day one, that the value of mentoring really comes to the fore. It is at that point that I tell them that while we think we know it all based on the plethora of information available on the internet, and, therefore, do not need the help of a travel consultant, the real value of the consultant lies in sharing what is not available on public forums. How many of us can contact locals to find out the interesting places which are not listed in tourist sites?
A couple of very important points to keep in mind, based on empirical experience. Most people expect a mentoring relationship to be all milk & honey. Please realize that, like any other relationship, a mentoring relationship will have its ups and downs. At times, for reasons which are perfectly human, your mentor may not be able to give you the best advice. On occasions, you may find yourself challenged by your mentor to go above and beyond what you bring to the table currently. These are NOT the occasions to quit. Instead, rely on back-ups. For instance, you can speak to an alternate source if your mentor is not available. Similarly, if you must reinvent yourself, make a specific plan and work on your mentor’s advice.
Secondly, let the relationship evolve. In today’s age of instant gratification, I have seen many people make the mistake of expecting every interaction to yield instant results as if the mentor is an ATM who can spout cash the moment you insert the card inside. Human relationships need investment and nurturing – and, in this process, a crucial ingredient is time. The more you invest, the higher the return you reap. And since time is pretty much in short supply, you need to pivot your calendar to ensure you are available when your mentor has the time rather than plot it the other way around!!
Let me close by quoting John Crosby who said, “mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction”! All the best in your quest to find that somebody who will make you do what you can!"
Executives face a multitude of challenges when it comes to managing their careers. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing integration into
BlueSteps Career Advisor Spotlight Interview: Empowering Executives with Kathryn In our quest to bring you the most insightful voices in career coaching, BlueSteps is thrilled