Step 5 in a Career Pivot – Build Your Team

In a previous post I told you to build a fan club. Now it is time to build your team. You do not and should not do this alone.  The earlier you assemble your team the better.

I was hired to teach three sections of Algebra I and two sections of Algebra II.  I was assigned a mentor by the school district.  Sarah (not her real name) was the curriculum specialist for Algebra I in our school.  She was an expert in teaching Algebra to students from a variety of socioeconomic groups.  She was not just good, she was superb.  She also did not pull any punches with me.

Sarah provided lesson plans for ALL of the Algebra I teachers.  We were using a hands on curriculum where we went to a computer lab two days a week.  The structure of the curriculum and having a marvelous mentor made it bearable.

In my second month of teaching, I had a near meltdown with my freshmen students in Algebra I.  I had a real hard time not taking the abuse from the students personally.  Sarah explained to me that I had a choice, work with the behavior or get out.  It was not going to be easy.  I so appreciated her candor.  I was lucky to have such a great mentor.

At the same time, I was struggling teaching Algebra II. I had two sections of Algebra II which were comprised mostly of juniors. I needed help in the worse way.  I somewhat expected another teacher to reach out to me and offer to help.  That did not happen.

After weeks of struggling, I swallowed my pride and went to Gina (not her real name) , a 27 year old teacher who had taught Algebra II for two years and had the classroom across the hallway from me.  I asked her if I could have her lesson plans, and I would stay exactly two days behind her.  I would play little puppy dog.  Whatever she did I would do – no matter what. This allowed me to read the lesson plans and if I did not understand I could come down to her classroom on my off period and watch her.

I was old enough to be her father.  I had been a senior manager at a major corporation.  I had been pulling down a six figure salary.  I was now at the bottom of the employment totem pole starting over. I needed her to survive my first year of teaching.  I swallowed my pride and asked for help! (I am a guy!!) I found my own mentor.

When I decided to start my career consulting business, I knew I needed to assemble a team to support me.  I first hired a my own coach and I did my research to find the best. I have multiple mentors based on different disciplines.  I hired a writer and a branding expert to help me. I assembled a team to support me.

I AM NOT DOING THIS ALONE.

You do not have to either.

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Marc Miller Career Design Specialist