Skipping the DIY: How Guided Learning Helps Entrepreneurs Avoid Mistakes

When I was younger, my dad and I went fishing for striped Bass in the Hudson river on our boat.  We spent hours casting our lines, moving from one spot to another, but to no avail. Whenever we went fishing and we got skunked — we caught nothing — like we did that day, my father would remind me that this is why they call the sport “fishing,” and not “catching.” You're never guaranteed to catch fish, but we had no idea what we were doing. That's when my dad had a brilliant idea: seek help from an expert. We hired a guide a few weeks later and went back out on the river.  

Our fishing guide knew exactly how to catch striped bass. On the guide boat everything was different from our set up— the type of bait, riggings and even the poles. When we left the dock he raced out to certain parts of the river as if he could spot the fish from up above. Every spot we stopped we caught fish. It was like magic! We caught buckets of fish that day and I could tell my father was paying close attention. Soon after my father made sure we all had the same tackle as the guide, and we headed back to the river and with a little trial and error we too started catching fish. It wasn’t as fruitful as when we went with the guide, but we were actually “catching” and not just “fishing.”  

This childhood experience taught me a valuable lesson that I carry with me in my entrepreneurial journey: that sometimes, skipping the DIY approach and seeking guidance from experts can make all the difference. As entrepreneurs, we often fall into the trap of trying to figure everything out on our own, believing that this is the best way to learn and grow. However, this approach can lead to costly mistakes, wasted time, and missed opportunities.

Guided learning is a powerful tool that can help you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your growth. When you seek mentorship and coaching in specific areas, you and your team can tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience that would otherwise take years to acquire on your own. Whether it's exploring the complexities of marketing, streamlining operations, or developing effective leadership skills, guided learning provides a smoother path to success.

In this article, I'll highlight the importance of guided learning and how it can help you avoid mistakes and achieve your goals faster. This will be discussed within three key areas of a company where seeking expert guidance can make a significant impact. Get inspired and discover how learning from experts you trust can help you get there.

Key Takeaways

• Seeking guidance from experts can accelerate learning and success.
• A DIY approach can lead to mistakes, wasted time, and missed opportunities.
• Mentors, coaches, and experts provide valuable knowledge and experience.
• Seeking help from experts is not a sign of weakness but a smart strategy for success.
• Learning from experienced professionals can lead to better results and more enjoyable experiences.

Why Seek Expert Guidance

Constant Learning

Seeking guidance from experts can promote a culture of continuous learning and growth within a company. When employees see that their leaders are open to learning from others and value the expertise of mentors, they are more likely to adopt a similar mindset. This creates an environment where knowledge sharing, collaboration, and professional development are prioritized, leading to a more skilled and adaptable workforce.

Faster Growth

Investing in skill-specific mentorship can help you and your team acquire new knowledge and abilities more quickly. When everyone learns from someone who has already mastered a particular skill or navigated a specific challenge, individuals can avoid common mistakes and adopt proven strategies. This targeted guidance can lead to faster growth and more efficient goal achievement, as the learning curve is shortened and potential obstacles are anticipated.

Overcome the Self-learning Bias

I know many entrepreneurs believe that they need to figure everything out on their own, but this self-learning bias can limit their potential for success. There are many successful DIY projects out there, but there's always a risk of wasted time, resources, and energy when individuals insist on figuring everything out on their own. The DIY approach can lead to unnecessary struggles for you and your team. So, recognizing the significance of external guidance and support is crucial for personal and professional growth. When you embrace the idea that seeking help is a strength rather than a weakness, you can tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Smarter Decision-making

Seeking help from experts is a smart strategy for success in any field. Just as a skilled surgeon relies on the expertise of other specialists to provide the best care for their patients, entrepreneurs can actually benefit from the insights and guidance of mentors and industry professionals. Adopting this mindset can help you make more informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and identify new opportunities for growth.

Enhanced Results & Experiences

Learning from experienced professionals can lead to better outcomes and more fulfilling experiences. When you have access to expert guidance and support, you’re more likely to develop new skills, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals. This not only leads to improved results in terms of business performance but also contributes to greater job satisfaction and personal growth. By investing in mentorship and professional development, you can create a more engaged, motivated, and successful workforce.

Enhancing Effectiveness

When your company aims to build the right skills quickly, engaging expert guides in specific areas can significantly enhance your team’s effectiveness. Here are three critical areas where you and/or your employees can benefit from expert guidance: leadership development, founder-led sales training, and talent sourcing and acquisition.

Leadership Development
Guide: Professional Coaches and Leadership Development Programs

Engagement Needed:

• One-on-One Coaching: No one has to really engage with top executive coaches like Dr. Marshall Goldsmith or John Mattone to get the personalized coaching tailored to you or one of your team leader’s needs. One economical option is to find a seasoned or retired entrepreneur who can serve as a wonderful resource for developing strategic thinking, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. If anyone in your organization needs a dedicated resource, which most people do, a paid business coach might be your best choice.
• Structured Leadership Programs: Programs such as those offered by Harvard Business Publishing Corporate Learning or Google for Startups Sales Academy provide comprehensive training that includes workshops, mentorship, and practical experiences.
• Continuous Feedback and Support: Regular feedback sessions and assessments to track progress and adjust development plans as needed. This ensures department leaders (or even members) are continuously improving and adapting to new challenges.
• Asynchronous learning: In addition to structured programs and coaching, self-paced learning through books can be a valuable and cost-effective way to develop one’s leadership skills. I highly recommend the following books:
  1. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey - This classic book focuses on personal and interpersonal effectiveness, offering you a holistic approach to leadership development.
  2. "The Leadership Challenge" by James Kouzes and Barry Posner - This book outlines five practices of exemplary leadership and offers you case studies and actionable tips for putting these practices into action.
  3. "Good to Great" by Jim Collins - This book examines what makes great companies stand out from the rest and provides you with insights into the leadership traits and strategies that contribute to their success.

Founder-Led or Sales Team Training
Guide: Experienced Sales Trainers and Startup Mentors

Engagement Needed:

• Mentorship and Coaching: You and your sales team can benefit from mentorship by experienced sales leaders or other successful startup founders. Founder networks can be a resource, but paid programs led by experienced sales trainers can be a wonderful option. These paid classes could include one-on-one sessions, group workshops, and ongoing guidance on sales strategies and overcoming challenges.
• Sales Training Programs: Programs like the Google for Startups Sales Academy offer intensive training on crafting value propositions, closing deals, and acquiring new customers. These programs often include practical workshops and networking opportunities.
• Sales Playbooks and Case Studies: Utilizing resources like "Founding Sales" by Pete Kazanjy, which provides a comprehensive guide on startup sales, can help you and your team develop effective sales strategies and processes.
• Asynchronous learning: Aside from structured programs and coaching, self-paced learning through books can be a valuable and cost-effective way to develop your sales skills. Here are some of highly recommended books for in relation to Sales:
  1. "SPIN Selling" by Neil Rackham - This book focuses on the importance of asking the right questions during the sales process to uncover customer needs and build value. It provides a practical framework that you and your team can apply to improve your sales conversations.
  2. "The Challenger Sale" by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson - This book challenges traditional sales methods and emphasizes the importance of teaching, tailoring, and taking control of the sales conversation. It offers insights and strategies for differentiation in competitive markets.
  3. "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion" by Robert Cialdini - While not specifically focused on sales, this book explores the key principles of influence and persuasion. Understanding these principles can help you and your team become more effective at building trust, overcoming objections, and closing deals.

Talent Sourcing and Acquisition
Guide: Talent Acquisition Consultants and Firms

Engagement Needed:

• Strategic Planning: Partnering with top talent acquisition firms can help your recruitment team develop a comprehensive talent acquisition strategy. This includes defining ideal candidate personas, identifying the best sourcing channels, and creating a compelling employer brand.  This is typically a success-based model so it is cost effective.  Getting the right person for the job is worth its weight in gold. 
• Proactive Sourcing: If you need to hire a lot of people, learn from a guide, then pursue this approach.  Implementing proactive sourcing strategies such as creating online talent communities and leveraging employee networks to build a robust talent pipeline. This can involve using tools and platforms to enhance sourcing efficiency and candidate engagement.  
• Asynchronous training: In addition to working with consultants and firms, self-paced learning through books can be a valuable and cost-effective way to develop your talent sourcing and acquisition skills. Some highly recommended books include:
  1. "The Talent Fix: A Leader's Guide to Recruiting Great Talent" by Tim Sackett - This book provides a comprehensive guide to developing and executing a successful talent acquisition strategy. It covers topics such as employer branding, candidate experience, and using data and technology to improve hiring outcomes.
  2. "Diversity Recruitment: The Ultimate Guide to Attracting and Retaining Top Talent" by Somen Mondal - This book explores the business case for diversity and inclusion and provides actionable advice on implementing diversity recruitment strategies. It covers topics such as reducing bias in the hiring process and building inclusive workplace cultures.
  3. "The Robot-Proof Recruiter: A Survival Guide for Recruitment and Sourcing Professionals" by Katrina Collier - As technology continues to transform the talent acquisition space, this book offers insights on how recruiters can adapt and thrive in the age of automation. It covers topics such as leveraging social media for recruitment and using storytelling to engage candidates.

When you start engaging with expert guides and helpful resources in these areas, you can ensure that you and your team can develop the right skills quickly and effectively, leading to improved performance and productivity.

Final Thoughts

While the DIY approach to learning and problem-solving can be tempting for entrepreneurs, it's essential to recognize the value of seeking guidance from experts. By overcoming the self-learning bias and embracing the idea that asking for help is a sign of strength, you can expand your knowledge faster, fail less often and generate the exit velocity needed to be viable. 

Seeking constant improvement and guidance in critical areas such as leadership development, founder-led or sales team training, as well as talent sourcing & acquisition can significantly enhance your company’s effectiveness. When you invest in mentorship, structured training programs, and continuous feedback and support, you can ensure that you and your team will develop the right skills quickly and effectively.

People in business, like you, must keep in mind that seeking guidance is not a sign of weakness, but rather a smart strategy for success. Whether you're a founder looking to improve your sales skills, a leader seeking to enhance your decision-making abilities, or a company aiming to attract top talent, expert guidance is available to help you achieve your goals.

So, don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Embrace the power of guided learning and encourage your team to do the same. By fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and openness to external guidance, you'll be well on your way to building a more agile, innovative, and successful business. In a world where change is constant and competition is fierce, the ability to learn from others and adapt quickly is not just an advantage – it's a necessity for long-term success. Remember, all you have to do is ask.