5 relationships that will help you Level⬆︎

I have been a reading a lot of books on Career Journey and why RELATIONSHIPS matter. Here are my two cents on key relationships to build below.

No matter where you are in your career journey one of the most important things you can do is build and nurture relationships. I’m grateful for the relationships I have presently and the ones in the future. So, the question is which relationships are important to your future success? Here are my top five that could help pave the way for a promotion, increase visibility in any organization/company and help you become the best version of yourself (Leader or Individual Contributor).

Mentor: When you think of a mentor think of someone that will keep you on track when you are feeling lost at work. You can turn to them for guidance for example trying to expand your industry knowledge, navigating a difficult conversation, feedback on a project, or simply encouraging you through trying times. Shoutout to a couple of my mentors over the years.

Sponsor: While Mentors offer you advice and perspective, sponsors on the other hand advocate on your behalf (especially in front of other company leaders) and usually in some cases bring you career opportunities directly.  “According to a recent Deloitte report, individuals who have the active support of sponsors within their organization are more likely to advance in their careers. Moreover, sponsorship can improve the chances of more stretch assignments, more promotions, and pay raises by up to 30 percent, according to the report.”

Partner: A partner is a peer who can serve as a sounding board to broaden your perspective. Common unifiers in this relationship include trust, a shared drive to succeed, and the recognition that you can do better together.

Competitor: Let’s face it we all strive to be the best version of ourselves and sometimes competition between peers is inevitable besides who doesn’t like a healthy competition? When used correctly a friendly contest/competition can inspire you to perform better, drive innovation, and get more work done.

Mentee: This relationship is just as important as the first 3 relationships. There is something unique about pouring life into others to become the best version of themselves. Becoming a mentor will teach you how to bring out the best in others, recognize their strengths, give feedback, and coach. In turn, it will push you to do your own job better and strive for more. “87% of mentors and mentees feel empowered by their mentoring relationships and have developed greater confidence ”

What are your top 5 relationships? Let’s discuss in the comments section below ⬇️