SPARKED
Bonnie Hammer | How to Tell if Your Mentor is Holding You Back
Episode guests
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Seek truth tellers for honest feedback in mentorship.
- Avoid 'fake it till you make it' cliches for career success.
- Embrace change as opportunities for growth in careers.
- Pursue passions authentically for personal fulfillment outside work.
- Acknowledge limitations and seek support to overcome imposter syndrome.
- Prioritize honesty and transparency in mentorship for professional growth.
Deep dives
Purity in Advice and Mentorship
Bonnie Hammer emphasizes the value of providing advice without ulterior motives, stemming from her position as a vice chair at NBC Universal. She stresses the importance of mentoring others with honesty and transparency, sharing experiences to guide individuals at different career stages. Hammer contrasts seeking truth tellers for genuine feedback over faking competence, advocating for a supportive approach to career advancement.
Challenging Platitudes in Career Growth
Hammer sheds light on the detrimental impact of common cliches like 'fake it till you make it,' denouncing them as harmful, especially for women in the workplace. She shares personal experiences where embracing vulnerability and seeking guidance led to valuable mentorship opportunities and career progression. By advocating for honesty over pretense, Hammer encourages individuals to navigate their career paths authentically.
Embracing Change and Discomfort
Hammer discusses the inevitability of change in professional environments and the importance of adapting to new circumstances. She urges individuals to view change as an opportunity for growth rather than a hindrance, emphasizing the need to embrace discomfort and uncertainty. By maintaining a positive outlook and seeking new possibilities, Hammer highlights how navigating change can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Authenticity in Skills and Passion
Hammer encourages individuals to explore their passions authentically and not solely for career advancement. Drawing from her photography background, she emphasizes the significance of aligning skills with personal joy and purpose. Hammer suggests that pursuing one's interests outside traditional career paths can provide fulfillment, regardless of whether it leads to financial success.
Navigating Imposter Syndrome
Hammer addresses imposter syndrome and the value of acknowledging personal limitations rather than feigning expertise. She underscores the importance of building trust through honesty and seeking support from others. By sharing experiences of vulnerability and learning from mistakes, Hammer promotes a culture of transparency and growth in professional interactions.
Mentorship and Trust in Career Development
Hammer advocates for truthful communication and seeking guidance to foster mentorship relationships. She highlights the benefits of admitting limitations and asking for help, leading to valuable learning experiences and professional growth. By prioritizing honesty and building trust, Hammer emphasizes the power of mentorship in navigating career challenges.
Impact of Authenticity and Transparency
Hammer emphasizes the detrimental effects of portraying false competence, encouraging individuals to be honest about their capabilities. By sharing personal anecdotes of embracing vulnerability instead of pretense, she illustrates the benefits of seeking genuine connections and guidance. Hammer's advocacy for authenticity and transparency in career growth resonates as she highlights the importance of fostering trust and meaningful relationships.
Exploration of Passion and Career Alignment
Hammer reflects on the intersection of passion and career, stressing the need for authentic alignment between personal interests and professional pursuits. She shares insights from her photography background, emphasizing the value of discovering joy in one's work. Hammer encourages individuals to explore diverse skill sets and industries to find fulfillment beyond conventional career paths.
Navigating Challenges through Vulnerability
Hammer shares the value of vulnerability in career progression, advocating for transparency and humility in professional interactions. By recounting instances of seeking help and admitting ignorance, she highlights the power of genuine connections and mentorship. Hammer's approach emphasizes the importance of building trust through honesty and openness to navigate challenges effectively.
Empowerment through Honesty and Support
Hammer emphasizes the empowering nature of honesty and openness in professional relationships, advocating for genuine interactions rather than feigned confidence. She stresses the value of seeking guidance and building trust through authenticity, fostering mentorship opportunities and personal growth. By prioritizing transparency and vulnerability, Hammer encourages individuals to embrace their journey with integrity and seek support from others.
Building Trust and Authenticity in Career Growth
Hammer underscores the significance of building trust through genuine communication and vulnerability in professional settings. She highlights the benefits of embracing authenticity over superficial competence, fostering meaningful connections and mentorship. By advocating for transparency and seeking support, Hammer promotes a culture of trust and mutual growth in navigating career challenges.
What if much of what you’ve been told about how to come alive and get ahead in work was, well, wrong? That’s what today’s guest, Bonnie Hammer argues. And she’d know. As the Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, with decades at the highest levels of business, she’s the author of the new book 15 Lies: How Women are Taught to Fail and the Truth That Sets Them Free.
In our conversation, Bonnie stresses the difference between common platitudes and what actually moves the needle. Together we dig into the importance of having truth tellers who give "tough love" and challenge you rather than just affirm you and discuss, why she believes "faking it til you make it" is terrible advice, and so much more.
We’re in conversation with:
SPARKED GUEST: Bonnie Hammer | Book
Bonnie Hammer is Vice Chair of NBCUniversal, where she’s spent decades transforming every facet of the television business. Under her leadership, the company’s cable group and studios achieved record-setting profits, garnered 167 Emmy nominations, and launched hit series including Suits, Psych, The Sinner, Battlestar Galactica, Mr. Robot, and hundreds more. She’s occupied virtually every industry position from production assistant to studio head—often being tapped for cutting edge roles.
Bonnie is also the author of the new book 15 Lies: How Women are Taught to Fail and the Truth That Sets Them Free.
YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields
Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 850,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED.
How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions
More on Sparketypes at: Discover Your Sparketype | The Book | The Website
Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory
Presented by LinkedIn.
PS. We’re about to launch a program - Career Clarity Lab™ - that’s been five-years in the making.
It’ll be entirely online and priced for accessibility. It will answer so many of the questions you’ve had about finding and doing work that truly makes you come alive. And, it will guide you through a step-by-step process to make it happen.
We’re looking to launch this program soon, but if you’d like to learn more now and be on our early-notice list (and qualify for a pretty big discount during our pre-launch window)...
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