Why restrict yourself to the narrow “I” when the whole world is yours. - Hindu Wisdom

As a leader, entrepreneur or businessperson have you pinpointed potential mentors and teachers who have walked the path before you? Why reinvent the wheel when you can gain access to people who can shorten the journey and help you avoid the inevitable potholes.

Creating a successful alliance is very much dependent on your current mindset. For example, are you open to learning from everybody you meet, regardless of age, education, wealth, race or gender? Do you believe that the teacher can become the student and vice versa?

You will find that the best people are always the most accessible. There are zero degrees of separation when you have the right intent. Approaching potential teachers with a win-win mentality will help bring your career to the next level.

So who do you select?

If you’re going to climb a mountain and you need a guide, you should look for somebody with personal experience and local knowledge rather than a person who dreams, talks, writes, paints or sings about climbing the mountain!

The same analogy can be applied to any challenge you face. In life and in business, a mentor with personal experience and local knowledge is much more valuable than one who is all talk.

Seek out the sherpa as opposed to the superstar!

Based on my own personal experience reaching out for help from those that have walked the path before, the best people are always the most accessible. Some time back I contacted one of the most successful people in this industry – their advice and inspiration give me the roadmap to excelling in this field.

Kevin Kelly International Motivational Speaker and Best Selling Author. For the past two decades Kevin has keynoted as a motivational speaker at conferences in Europe, Middle and Far East and the US. For more http://www.kevinkellyunlimited.com