Press Feature

The Importance Of Finding A Mentor

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by James Richmond

January 20, 2023

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I’ve always appreciated the value of mentorship programs, but their value really came home to me one night over veal chops washed down with a bottle of Cabernet. It made such an impression on me and had such a profound impact on my life that I vividly remember everything about that night in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC with the man who would become my greatest mentor.

It was early in my career. I was sales director, and I’d spent the day running sales calls with the company head of operations, John Covilli, a much more seasoned business executive. I knew I could learn a lot from his experience and success, so over a business dinner, I asked him a question I’d asked others without getting a satisfactory response: “What’s the secret sauce? What makes the difference in sales and leadership between being average and being super successful? I can’t figure it out.”

John took a sip of his wine, looked straight at me, and said, “It’s the insatiable appetite of curiosity.”

ADDITIONAL READING

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    Forbes

    The Importance Of Finding A Mentor

    I’ve always appreciated the value of mentorship programs, but their value really came home to me one night over veal chops washed down with a bottle of Cabernet. It made such an impression on me and had such a profound impact on my life that I vividly remember everything about that night in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC with […]

  • The Role of Mentorship in the Development of Successful Senior Executives

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    The Role of Mentorship in the Development of Successful Senior Executives

    Senior executives everywhere are under intense pressure to maintain a competitive edge. And with all the layoffs affecting professionals at all levels, companies striving for success in an ever-changing business landscape must consider the benefits of stronger leadership development. To meet these demands, executives must continually hone their skills and stay informed of the latest industry developments. And while there […]

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    TechCrunch

    MentorcliQ raises over $80 million to grow its employee mentoring software and services

    For years, Phil George was the executive sponsor of a mentoring program at McMaster-Carr, an industrial hardware supplier, where he spent weeks trying to match program participants with only scant information about them to go on. Employees often requested resources while mentors asked for training, and mentees wanted more guidance on goals. And as the program progressed, there weren’t reliable […]