Jul 20, 2021
How can people of color accelerate their careers? Today’s guest
Patrick Carter explains that it wasn’t only his ambition that led
to success, but his drive to help and support others like him that
led to victory. That and finding the peers, mentor, and
sponsor in your industry will lead to success.
Patrick has been in the sales industry for several
decades.
- He has sold anything that plugged into a wall, financial
services, and now sells furniture.
- Throughout his sales career, he’s learned not just from work
itself but also learns from his mentors and people in the room
who’ve walked down the same path as him.
How did Patrick accelerate his sales
career?
- As he matured in his career, Patrick was introduced to a
gentleman named Walter Booker- the first black man Patrick saw in a
senior leadership position.
- Walter understood that others observed his actions and attitude
in the organization, and he made it his business to see them and
give encouragement.
- After meeting Walter, Patrick’s career growth came from his
mentality shift from a lone wolf to somebody who gives more than
they get.
- Patrick started looking to his peers and giving them the
support they needed, and Patrick now looks for and wants to be in a
position to mentor and sponsor others.
- Patrick believes that's where many people of color feel
marginalized, especially when people are hired as diversity
tokens.
How can you overcome the lone wolf
mentality?
- Remember that an open door does not an opportunity make. Just
because a door is open, you still need to walk through it and
perform.
- If a mentor or sponsor spends their influence opening a door
and you underperform, you've done a disservice to both you and your
sponsor. And that, unfortunately, can close off opportunities for
those second, third and fourth in line.
- Recognize that you will need help in sales, and recognize that
you need the right team to succeed.
How can someone maybe they're in an industry where they
don't have many people in leadership that looks like
them?
- Social media has allowed us to get outside our silos. You can
start a social media relationship where you never actually connect
with that person beyond messaging.
- You can get on the phone and speak with someone, even if you
meet over social media.
- It's that “lead the horse to water, but you can't make them
drink” analogy. The water is here and available. At some point, you
need to recognize that others are performing at a higher level than
you and learn from them.
- Mentoring is a relative term, and you can do it at any point in
your career.
Patrick’s major takeaway:
- You don't have enough time in your career to make all the
mistakes you need to. So learn from the mistakes of others.
- By listening to your mentors, following their instructions, and
zigging when others zag, you don't have to suffer all the pitfalls
people in front of you suffer.
To get in contact with Patrick, connect with him on LinkedIn or
follow him on Twitter.
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Audio provided by Free SFX and
Bensound. Other songs used
in the episodes are as follows: The Organ Grinder written by
Bradley Jay Hill, performed by Bright Seed, and Produced by
Brightseed and Hill.