Some people grow up to be the very best in the world at what they do. So, why not tap into their orbit and learn from the best?
That's what executive coach Rhett Power did. "We have to take accountability for our learning," said Power, CEO of Accountability, a firm that coaches business executives. "And I wanted to learn from the best in the world."
Seek To Learn From The Best
So, he sought out Marshall Goldsmith, often cited as the top executive coach in the world. Power employed a full-court press of sorts.
He read Goldsmith's books, such as "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" and "Mojo: How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back If You Lose It." He attended events where Goldsmith was speaking.
He read articles written about Goldsmith as well as things Goldsmith had written. Eventually, he wanted to know even more, so he approached Goldsmith and talked with him one-on-one. Power says for the past six years he's been a part of Goldsmith's world.
"To me there was a lot to learn from Marshall," Power said. "I learned how to coach. I learned how he attracts clients." The more Power studied, the more he found out.
Power "learned how he charges for his services and to value my services enough to charge the right amount." Power also picked up on how Marshall built his reputation.
But there's only so much you can learn from the best and lessons you can take away from them by reading about them in a book, says Power. Finding a way to approach them and ask for their help is a better way to go, he says. What you want to know is what their system is.
"If there's somebody doing something that you want to learn how to do, and they're world class, the best in the world, then you need to approach them," Power said. "I'm a big believer in learning everything you can and asking for their help."
Learn From The Best Via Social Media
In a world of social media, it's easier than it used to be to gain access to top people and learn what their X-factor for success is, says Power. You might not be able to attend a CEO meeting in the corner office or get into the locker room of a professional sports team, but there's now a way to make an introduction via the digital world.
"Social media is a very powerful tool to learn," Power said.
You can learn a lot from a social media post. And you also can respond and engage with the content and ask questions. That often opens doors that might otherwise be shut. "It's a way to get close to" someone who is a giant in their field of work, Power says. You'll be surprised at how people who are the best at what they do connect with others online.
Technology offers more ways for people to connect with business giants or sports stars than ever before, Power says.
"It's not just about reading books anymore," Power said. "You can download an audiobook. ... You can listen to content now or watch it as a podcast. There are so many ways now that you can engage with somebody."
Learn From How The Great Ones Act
There's also a lot you can learn from somebody by watching how they act and what they say when the pressure is on, Power says. Role models are only role models when they behave appropriately.
"Super-successful people have learned how to communicate and navigate things," Power said. "Whether they just won the championship or just blew it, they understand that their reaction will be closely watched, that they're a role model, and that they have to act appropriately."
We take our cues from our leaders, Powers says. Just like kids take their cues from their parents. "If you act bad as a parent, your children are going to observe that and internalize it," he said. "You can learn a lot about peoples' character in how they act after a bad loss or a big win."
Know There's Nothing Wrong With Having Heroes
It's not a bad thing to look up to people you admire and who are the best in the world at what they do, Power says.
Seeing something in someone else that you'd like to see in yourself can be a game-changer as you learn from the best.
"There are people that other people want to emulate," Power said. "People have heroes. And I think it's all right to have heroes. That plays an enormous role in development. As a coach, I see this all the time."
Prioritize Learning New Skills
Power coaches an NFL player. The athlete has top skills on the football field but he's learning how to translate his athletic skills to a business setting.
"The mindset he needs on the football field and the locker room is way different than the mindset required in a business setting," Power said. "There are some similar traits and attributes. But you can't push employees or people in the same way you can push NFL players. You can't tell someone to do five more pushups or yell at them."
The key is getting better each day.
"One of my athlete clients often tells me, 'Everyone I play against is a super athlete. I just have to be a tiny bit better, a tiny bit faster,' " Power said. "So, super-successful people are just looking for that incremental change and getting help working on their blind spots."
