Mentors From Afar: How Successful Leaders Inspire Small Business Owners (Full Version)

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If you could sit down with any famous businessperson for a mentoring session, who would it be—and why? You may not be able to grab a coffee with Warren Buffett or Oprah Winfrey anytime soon, but you can start to make more happen in your own company by taking a cue from business icons and their standout traits. Here are five lessons you can learn from prominent business leaders chosen by members of our SUCCEED community.

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MENTORS

HOW SUCCESSFUL LEADERS INSPIRE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

from afar:

If you could sit down with any famous

businessperson for a mentoring

session, who would it be—and why?

You may not be able to grab a coffee

with Warren Buffett or Oprah Winfrey

anytime soon, but you can start to

make more happen in your own

company by taking a cue from business

icons and their standout traits. Here are

seven lessons you can learn from

prominent business leaders chosen by

members of our SUCCEED community. !!

The Mentor You Wish You Had

I love that she's not afraid to be controversial and speak her mind.

Sheryl Sandberg

—Mariah Courtney, Copywriter & Online Marketing Professional

COO, Facebook

“ “

Done is better than perfect.”WISE WORDS

ADDITIONAL READING

—Sheryl Sandberg

BE BOLD like Sheryl: !Mark Zuckerberg told Sandberg in her first performance

review at Facebook that her desire to be liked by everyone

would hold her back. She stopped being a people pleaser

and decided to be a leader. Don’t ignore people’s feelings,

but put an emphasis on getting things done.

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

Warren Buffett

“I listen to his audio books on

repeat whenever I get a chance in

the car. This morning’s short

message was to suggest and ask

questions [of] your team/staff rather

than demanding things. It sounds

quite obvious. But even when you

know the answer to something, if

you let your employee figure it out,

they take ownership of/pride in that

and better results are given.”

— Hemal Patel, Founder & Owner of KB Studio

Business Magnate & Investor

Ask questions of yourteam/staff rather than

demanding things.

“ “

It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that you'll do things differently.”

WISE WORDS

ADDITIONAL READING

—Warren Buffett

Learn from Warren’s MISTAKES:In 2007, Buffett made a $2 billion dollar investment that ended

up losing more than $800 million. He admitted his error—not

asking his business partner’s advice before moving forward.

Never be too proud to ask for a second opinion.

The Oracle Speaks: Warren Buffett in His Own Words

“Lee Iacocca

“His speeches are often blunt

and humorous; they're always

interesting and delivered in a

unique style. Iacocca is a

master at turning a phrase. He is one of the best

communicators on the American

scene. His integrity and values

come across loud and clear.” !

!—Dave Soden, Realtor & Handyman

Business Magnate & Former Chrysler Chairman

Iacocca is a master at turning

a phrase. “ “

We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.”

WISE WORDS

ADDITIONAL READING

—Lee Iacocca

BE PERSISTENT like Lee: !After rising from humble beginnings to the presidency of

Ford, Iacocca was fired. Instead of giving up, he came

back stronger than ever in the business world. Don’t let

any setback make you stop believing in yourself.

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?

Donald Trump

“Business to him is about who is

in control; and he is in control of

his surroundings.”

!

Chairman, The Trump Organization

He is in control of his surroundings.“ “

—Beverly Boisen, Designing Penny Mats

Don't get sidetracked. If you do get sidetracked, get back on track as soon as possible. Ultimately, sidetracking kills you.”

— Donald Trump

WISE WORDS

ADDITIONAL READING

TAKE A PAGE FROM the Trump Playbook:

Trump has won some and lost some in his business

career, but he is well known for carefully calculating each

risk. Educate yourself before you make a move in your

business if you want more control over the outcome.

Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education in Business and Life

Tim Ferriss

He’s a life hacker, always looking for

the most efficient way to do things,

for everything in life. Fascinating!

!

—Theresa Ortega, Bilingual Professional Speaker, Handwriting Analyst, Cursive Coach

Entrepreneur  and  Author,  The  4-­‐Hour  Workweek

“ “

What we fear doing most is usually what we most need to do.”

— Tim Ferriss

WISE WORDS

ADDITIONAL READING

TREAT YOURSELF like Tim: !

!

!

Ferriss didn’t wait for his 80-hour/week job to make him rich

before he radically changed his lifestyle to start doing more

of what was important to him. That was the key to ending up

with a 4-hour workweek. Don’t put off your dreams.

The 4-Hour Workweek

“This woman has devoted her

entire life to making a

difference in this world. It is a

rare person that has the kind

of internal power to move

mountains of layers from

people to get at the core that

needs the most learning.”

!

Oprah Winfrey

— Janine M. Smith, Vice President of Finance at The Lotter Group

This woman has devoted her entire life to making a difference

in this world.

 Media  Proprietor  &  Talk-­‐Show  Host

“ “

BUILD YOUR OWN Oprah community: !Winfrey surrounds herself with great people. Many of her closest

friends knew her long before she was rich and famous. Find trusted allies who will stick with you through the ups and downs

in your business. You’ll help each other rise to greatness.

Every time you state what you want or believe, you’re the first to hear it. It’s a message to both you and others about what you think is possible. Don’t put a ceiling on yourself.”

—Oprah Winfrey

The Uncommon Wisdom of Oprah Winfrey: A Portrait in Her Own Words

WISE WORDS

ADDITIONAL READING

Richard Branson Founder,  The  Virgin  Group  

“He’s had repeated successes in

multiple industries but doesn’t take

himself too seriously. I have an

acquaintance that sat next to Branson

on a Virgin flight to LA (Branson was in

coach). When they got to the airport,

Branson asked him, ‘Do you have a

car?’ They got in my friend’s crappy car and ended up going to dinner and

hanging out the rest of the evening.”    

Doesn’t take himself too seriously.“ “

— Doug Ansell, Programmer, CEO of Inenvi

Some 80% of your life is spent working. You want to have fun at home; why shouldn’t you have fun at work?”

WISE WORDS

ADDITIONAL READING

— Richard Branson

EXPLORE the Business World with Richard:

Branson is known for his insatiable curiosity—a trait he

says is essential for entrepreneurs. With him, it’s all about

“learning as you go.” Satisfy your quest for adventure by

exploring new avenues for your business.

Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur

Consider your own business and your life.

How can you become a mentor to those

around you?

!!!!

Follow your favorite mentor’s example in one

new area of your business. Track the results

for six months and see how well it works.

!!!

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher

explains. The superior teacher demonstrates.

The great teacher inspires. — William Arthur Ward

TAKEAWAYSLet’s Make More Happen

ADVICE:

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!

ACTION:

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““INSPIRATION:

WHO INSPIRES YOU TO MAKE MORE HAPPEN IN YOUR BUSINESS?

Share insights from your favorite mentors(or dream mentors) in our SUCCEED community.

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