The A-Z of Mentoring, Masterminding and Asking for Help. B is for…

B is for…

Brave and Bold

Both as someone seeking help and support and the person offering it, we need to put insecurities and concerns to one side and let people in. Don’t worry about what the other person thinks of you (just make sure you are with someone who you can trust), being brave and bold (and perhaps even ballsy!) in asking and answering questions will lead to much more powerful answers.

If you’re providing those solutions then Servane Mouazan stresses that brave and bold does not necessarily mean being brutal. You can be honest with people while still supporting them emotionally.

Boundaries

Set these clearly in advance, particularly in formal relationships such as mentoring or masterminding. How much are you willing to share? Will you be willing to be open about your personal as well as professional life? Particularly if one impacts the other.

And also respect the boundaries in your relationship with a formal advisor. Recognise if a close personal relationship is likely to affect your ability to be open and honest with each other and of course, the reverse.

B is also for…

Blind Spot

Other people can see what we easily miss, particularly when we have invested fully into a project or are emotionally tied to the outcome.

Bring

Recognise the value you can bring to any relationship and be willing to bring more than you take away.

Breathe

You don’t need to act on advice straight away. Take a moment to breathe and reflect before deciding on what your next step might be.

Balance

Look for balance in your advice circle, don’t surround yourself just with people who think like you. Be aware of automatically turning to the suggestions with which you are most comfortable too, balance out the arguments and come to a considered opinion.

Boosting your Skills

Where are you struggling? What do you find most difficult to do? Who do you know who is great at that skill? Ask them for help.

Blissness

From wellbeing expert Celynn Morin – “Balance bliss and fun with business and work for more engagement and more energised and memorable interactions”.

Many thanks to the multitudes of people who responded to my request for input. Please send me your suggestions for ‘C is for..’. Thank you to the following for your suggestions for our Mentoring, Masterminding and Asking for Help ‘B’s…

Rhiannon Evans, Saija Mahon, Laurie Morgen, Nigel Adams,  Fiona Stevenson, Celynn Morin, Olga Geidane, Juliet Reynolds, Mark Lee, Eithne Treanor, Servane Mouazan, Paul Brown, Claire Bailey, Jacqui Byland, Susan Heaton Wright, Izabella Chaves, Alan Stevens, Vicky O’Farrell, Nigel Risner and Claire Boyles.