CVC Succcess Group coaches Jerry & Sheryl Isenhour
In today’s episode of The Chimney and Fireplace Success Network Jerry and Sheryl discuss mentorship and the importance of building a strong support team for yourself – your network.
The Chimney and Fireplace Success Network is a weekly podcast brought to you by the CVC Success Group and hosted by industry expert, Jerry Isenhour. Each week you will find new presentations to assist business owners and managers in turning their business dreams into their business realities.
Video Transcript
Jerry Isenhour: Well, good afternoon, appreciate you joining us here today on our live broadcast of the chimney and fireplace success network. And today, Sheryl and I have some interesting thoughts to share with you about who’s in your network. So, stick around with us, we will be right back with you in just a second.
Jerry I.: So once again, we appreciate you being with us, and if you are listening and you think this is of value, hey, consider sharing it out on your own social media. We’re going to try to give you a message today to give you some ideas about how to get to that dream destination that we all dream of. So, Sheryl, you ready to rock and roll today?
Sheryl Isenhour: Ready to go.
Who is in your network?
Jerry I.: There you go. So anyway, the subject matter today is who’s in your network? And this is one of the things that a lot of people don’t realize. We really need a strong network of people that can mentor us, can give us advice do other things when we need it. Having that strong network is something that’s going to help you accomplish your goals. So, first thing I am going to ask Sheryl about somebody she just asked me about a while ago, which is a lady by the name of Michelle Prince.
A lady by the name of Michelle Prince.
Because several years ago, Sheryl got to know Michelle through her Ziglar coaching affiliation because they are both Ziglar accredited and certified coaches. So, you had a dream of doing something; how important was Michelle to you and getting this dream accomplished that you had?
Sheryl: I will come to that in one second; you just caught me trying to share this. If everybody out there will share it, it’ll go out to more of the world. As far as Michelle, she was one of my, turned out to be a dear friend. She helped me get my book writing started; she and I have actually been talking today about another book.
So she became one of an extremely important person, number one, because she was Ziglar-affiliated. Number two, because she was my book writing mentor. Number three, she’s just a marvelous person. And if you ever get a chance to know her, I suggest that you do. And if you ever want to write a book, reach out to her.
Jerry I.: Yes. In fact, we’ve got Brandi is going to her webinar this week, and I’ve also recommended a friend of mine by the name of Brian Kelm, who were asked to write a book to be in Michelle’s webinar this week. Because Michelle’s one of those special people that shares everything that she knows about the subject matter. She was a student of Zig Ziglar, worked for him for many years.
What she wanted to do was work for Zig Ziglar.
Sheryl: She started when she was very young, and that was one of her dreams from the time she was young that was. What she wanted to do was to work for Zig Ziglar. Well, things did not fall out just right; she went off to school, and then suddenly, it did a 360, and she came back into her dream.
Jerry I.: Right. And Michelle’s one of those people. To be honest with you, I’m a person that’s hard to hold my attention in the seminar. So several years ago, Sheryl wanted me to go to your book writing conference; it was down in Florida. And it is like go; I had already written my first book; I do not need this.
Sheryl: But it was free for you.
Jerry I.: It was, and it was good. Whenever I went to it, I actually learned a lot and learned about my, Michelle’s the one that shared my mapping with us. So, Michelle, she’s one of those special people that you develop a network with, and we’ve even got a testimonial from Michelle to you on our website that she made out. Talking about her relationship with you.
Sheryl: Super lady. Again, if you ever want to write a book, please, if you cannot get in touch with Michelle, contact one of us we will get you in touch with her.
Jerry I.: Yes. So that’s one person, then like I said that’s what we’re talking about. Remember, one of the things that is going to happen to us in life is we seem to develop the personality of the people that we most commonly hang with.
Your success will key on the five leading people that you are in contact with.
They often say your success will key on the five leading people that you are in contact with a lot. So as we look at it, Sheryl, you know I think you and I have had some marvelous networking connections that have helped us in life, in the business. You know we have a mentor, we have a friend his name is Scott McCain. Scott is a definite person who’s in our network, would you agree?
Sheryl: Turning into a dear friend also along. That’s the thing about when you network with that particular person like Michelle, like Scott, it becomes more than just a mentorship. You become part of a community that you two belong to.
Jerry I.: Yes. And I think one of the amazing things about Scott when you and I have a call with him, we may be scheduled for 30 minutes. And Scott will go on for 45 minutes and an hour sometime, and we’re just sharing different ideas, and I think we’re helping Scott also in this. So hopefully, Scott considers us a mentor to him also, even though we do contract with him as personal coaches for both of ourselves, and we are in a lot of his seminars and a lot of his groups, do you agree?
Sheryl: Quite a few.
One is Larry Winget, another is Randy Pennington.
Jerry I.: But if we go into that, we got to know Scott because of our affiliation with other people that were in the coaching industry. One is Larry Winget, and another is Randy Pennington. And they conducted what was called the UBS, which is the ultimate business summit. Which we were members of that also.
And one of the neat things about being in that group is they were three distinct different individuals, and they all had their own distinct points of view. Which meant often, if you ask the question of the group of them, you are going to get three answers. Now Sheryl, were they ever ridiculous answers?
There was one opinion that would resonate.
Sheryl: No, they were all very good. Some you didn’t agree with because when you take three opinions, you’re not going to take all three. But out of the three, there was one that would resonate. So that was what I saw as a benefit of doing it that way is because something that might click with you didn’t with me and vice versa. So, I liked the three opinion thing; I mean, let us face it, you and I do not agree all the time.
Jerry I.: Probably less than most people think.
Sheryl: Probably.
She makes the decisions of decorating.
Jerry I.: There you go. I mean, if it’s inside the house, that’s her realm. She makes decisions of decorating, all those type of things. If it’s outside in the yard, that’s my realm. We respect each other’s opinions, our feelings, or whatever.
So when it comes to design, if I want something that’s, and like right now, we’re actually just relocating my office. So this morning she’s better at decorating than I am; I say, hey, I want to do this, and this and this, what’s your thoughts? So we’re in there actually arranging things in the office, little trinkets, and things that I’ve collected over the last 40 years in the chimney sweep industry.
I’ve got a pretty extensive library and a pretty extensive collection of collectibles from around the world of different chimney sweep figurines, statues, memorabilia, tools, and other things. It’s like you know there’s boxes full of this stuff, so I want to get it in the right place. And then also I’ve got some pictures that are framed of European chimney sweeps in action, and I also want to be in the office.
But again asking her opinion because she’s a whole lot better at this than I am. But that’s being able to have a mentor to rely on that thing. So Sheryl, who are some of the other people that you would look at as mentors to you, who are in your network that you could call up and they’re not going to give you a crappy answer, they’re going to give you a good answer and give you an honest opinion of what they think?
Tom Ziglar, and his sisters Julie and Cindy.
Sheryl: Tom Ziglar, and his sisters Julie and Cindy, I consider both dear mentors. They help me into my relationship with the Ziglar family. And I do use that word literally because unlike some of the other coaches that we have run into, none that we’ve named so far, there’s not that family connect.
But with the Ziglar’s, I’ve had that. And I know if at any given time I would like, I can pick up the phone and I can give them a call, and they’ll help. A lot of times, I’ve had to text Tom and say can you help me with this? Can you connect me with this? And he’s always there.
Are you looking for a soothing answer?
Jerry I.: Okay. So when you ask somebody that’s in your network such as this a question, are you looking for a soothing answer? Say it’ll all be okay, Sheryl. Are you looking for the right answer and how to proceed forward?
Sheryl: When I asked a question, I am looking for the answer. Don’t pat me on the back, don’t pat me on the head and all the other stuff. If I go to the trouble to ask the question, I honestly think I don’t ask that many questions of people. But when I do, I want the answer because I can think up my own soothing stuff. I need somebody to mentor me, to tell me what is the part that I cannot see. The vision from five thousand feet, the vision from my above. Something that maybe I’m not being able to see or able to touch, I want that answer.
Give you that 30,00 view from above.
Jerry I.: Right. So you’re looking for somebody that can look at this, you were talking 5,000 a mile. You’re looking at somebody that can look down and give you that 30,000 look from above, looking down and seeing the moving parts and how it’s moving. Would that be true?
Sheryl: Yes, because we see, everyone sees within x amount of radius of where they are at, what they are doing. And sometimes your mind just get, you can’t get past that block, and you just keep in that little loop. So sometimes it’s just a word, it’s like the light bulb goes off, and you can pass on through the wall and keep going.
What has charisma got to do with this?
Jerry I.: That’s it. So what’s charisma got to do with this? You know, in this day and time there’s a lot of people, it’s like they exude charisma. But at the same time, some of the advice that they give may not be the best. Do we go after charisma? Are we looking for people that have the right wisdom to share with us, to help us move to where we are going?
Sheryl: I am not the charisma looker; I am probably the more stringent looker. If you’ve got charisma, I’m not sure if I’m hearing you from what I should be hearing or just because you’re charismatic. I just never have; I never have been one of those people. And so, I will tend to; I do not want to put it back away from somebody with a lot of charisma, mainly because I am not sure I trust him sometimes.
Jerry I.: You know some years ago, there was a gentleman, he is a networking connection of ours. And actually, we have joint clients, he’s not in the coaching industry, but he does do service for a lot of our clients. And he had a client; he recommended to him that the client talked to me; he felt that I could help him and coach him to where he want to go.
And the guy said something, he said, you know, there’s a problem here. But what’s the problem? And this problem was he said, I really don’t like Jerry. And when he called and told me that, it was kind of a funny thing, and I said, you know liking someone has nothing to do with the value or the coaching abilities.
Because to be honest with you, if I’m going to do my job, I’m probably going to upset you sometimes with the advice I may give you, as I try to help you through your challenges and the chaos in your life. So you know, finding that right person, it may not be the person that you just connect with emotionally, but you’ve got to be able to connect with that person to be able to share honestly with them. What are your challenges?
Where do you want to go? And that’s what you got to do look at the people that you network with, the people that you hang around with. Are they an asset to you? Are they helping you get to where you need to go in life? Or it is the other way around; are they sucking the energy out of you?
Because Sheryl something you talk about sometimes, you call it an energy vampire. By being around people that they just suck the energy right out of you. So what would you say about an energy vampire? And is that someone you really want in your network?
A lot of people do not recognize that person until all their energy is gone.
Sheryl: No, but I am so afraid a lot of people do not recognize that person until all their energies gone. But if you’re around somebody, and when you leave their presence, you feel drained, or while you’re in the presence, back up and take another look.
Because I mean it’s their persona, it’s who they are. They’re not doing it just because of you. If you would ask a true friend of yours if so and so did it to you, usually if they do it to one, they do it to the other. And it’s just a part of some people. And they make you really tired; I don’t know any other way to put it. After a little while with them, I’m ready to move on.
Your body is using all it is energy to combat that infection.
Jerry I.: So, it is kind of like when you get injured, and your body is using up all its energy to combat that infection whatever. And you’re just plumb exhausted. Is that like what we are talking about here?
Sheryl: Almost exactly. It’s almost like your chest doesn’t want to breathe; I mean, it’s not like heart attack value or anything. But you don’t have it. And I know you’ve seen me come in the house before and just drop down after we’ve been around somebody, and you’ve asked me what’s wrong? I said they just zapped every bit of energy I had.
Jerry I.: Yes, I understand. So let me ask you this, we have been in quite a few coaching groups, where a group of us are meeting on a regular basis, and we’re going through, and we’re hearing the frustrations and the challenges of others. And we’re hearing the coaches help them and coach them through the challenges and giving them suggestions. How helpful has group coaching been to you in your life and in your career?
Sheryl: I think it is one of the best. And the reason I say that is because a lot of times, they’ll answer a question that I really didn’t realize I had until somebody brought it up. And so it already gets it out of the queue, it’s going to hit sooner or later.
It gets it out of the queue. Also, not just for me, but for other people, I don’t have a lot of problem asking a question; a lot of people do. So, in a group situation, if you are there long enough, somebody will ask the question that you are looking for, so you do not have to put yourself on the spot.
They can gather the strength to face their challenges.
Jerry I.: Okay. So in this situation, do you see that group coaching sometimes that people are in these, and they’re able to gather the strength they need to face their challenges from being in the group. Is that something you are seeing a lot?
Sheryl: I do. And another thing, okay, let’s say you’re in a group coaching, we were in one with 20 some. That’s 20 people that are there to help you if you’ve got a question. You’ve got 20 peers, and you’re all basically in the same thing, the one we were in was only business-related.
We were in all different businesses, but I knew I could turn to almost either one of them and ask, okay, how did you do this in your business? The ones that were successful, in little spots that maybe I was not as perfect at as I wanted to be. So not only can you ask your coaches, you have privy to all the other people in the group.
Another concept of networking is a process called a MIX Group.
Jerry I.: Right. And another concept of networking is a process called a MIX Group. And what MIX group stands for is a management information exchange group, where business owners and different areas of the country get together on a regular basis, and they work through problems, work through resolutions, come up with strategies. In fact, we were in a mixed group at one time. So what you’re feeling on these? On the industry mix groups.
Sheryl: If you are in a good group, if you are in a good group and there are some super ones or were, there is some where half the people did not participate. But if you’ve got a good participating group that because you sign your MBA, you’re not allowed to talk when you’ve got real trustworthy people that will help you through this.
The only problem right now is, and I don’t know when people will be looking at this, maybe five years down the road. But as we speak, we’re going through the pandemic stage, so we can’t get out to the groups like that except virtual.
And I don’t know in that particular kind of group; I think the face-to-face was a lot better than the virtual might be. Because you go to the person’s business, and you help them assess their business.
What about social media today?
Jerry I.: Okay. So what about social media today? You and I are both heavy social media users; we survey it, you publish something every morning, I usually post or publish something every morning. We both try to publish inspirational thoughts, stuff to make people think. So, is social media a way that people can have the right or the wrong network today?
Sheryl: Oh, by far.
Jerry I.: Okay.
Sheryl: By far.
Jerry I.: And if you see someone that their social media is always negative. It is negative towards the world, it’s negative toward the political world. It’s negative towards mask. It’s negative, it’s just a completely negative outlook. Is that a good person that you want to network with?
You probably do not want to see my delete file.
Sheryl: You probably do not want to see my delete file. I can’t deal with it; I mean, they’re not energy monsters by anything. But I try not to be negative. I do my best to keep my glass half full, always. And when somebody else is trying to get me on the other side of that line, I have got delete down.
Jerry I.: Perfect. Does it seem like many people just have? They have their purpose in life is negativity and how they can drive others down. Do you see that?
Sheryl: Some people thrive on it, that’s where they want to be. I’ve known people that can’t be happy if everybody else around them is happy. Now, if somebody’s sad, they elevate. And I don’t understand it; I had a family member like that.
And it was really hard because when we were happy, they tried to bring us down. And I am afraid that happens in social media, that happens in a group situation. It’s bad because the thing about it is, there’s enough negativity in the world without contributing.
You have got to pick your network carefully.
Jerry I.: That’s it. So that’s what you got to do. So, would you agree you have got to pick your network carefully?
Sheryl: I pick mine quite carefully. And I’m not afraid to move on when somebody gets out of the realm of where I need them to be. I don’t push them out or anything, but it’s not one that I would communicate with as much. So you and I both coach, there’s enough negativity in what we hear from the coaching aspect that I refuse to give it out. I will try to help you through it, but I will refuse to give it out.
We are now doing group coaching.
Jerry I.: Okay. But one of the things that we’ve started here at CVC success group is, is we’re now doing group coaching, right? So why don’t you share with people what you envision this group coaching? What’s going to be the benefit for people to be in a group coach like that?
Because in this situation, there will be three of us, me, you, and Brandi Biswell, will be the people that are the coaches working with this group. So why should someone look at this as a way to help them get past their challenges?
My vision is we are keeping it small.
Sheryl: My vision is we are keeping it small; we do not want huge groups. We want somebody that can get close-knit. The companies need to be with in pretty un-niche of each other. So that they can communicate, we don’t want the negative; we call them negative Nellie’s, whatever you want to call them.
We have the availability of making sure who’s in that group works with the other group. Now, if this group gets full, we’ll go and do another one. We’re not putting people in two companies that are in the same area. So there’s no competition in it. The people that are in your group will have no competition with you, they’re only there to help you.
Jerry I.: And when Brandi talks about this, she was one that pushed us to go ahead and do this time. What would you say, because she’s really excited about this? And she says the group coaching helps her a lot by being in groups. So by being in the group, she doesn’t feel that she’s in the spotlight; she would be one-on-one with the coach. Do you see that with Brandi?
Sheryl: I see it with Brandi; I see it with a lot of people. I mean, even when I’m on the one-on-one coach, you tend to be, I want to say, more defensive.
Because it’s like okay, if I open my mouth here, I might say something wrong, and so you don’t open up, and you don’t let it all spill out. Plus they’re working on one level. What if you’ve got the coaches, and then you’ve got? I’m going to call them many coaches, that’s all the other people that’s in your group.
You need to investigate who is in your network.
Jerry I.: Okay, so that is great. So here’s the whole thing, you need to investigate who is in your network; when you get up every morning, who is it that you listen to? Who is it that you’re hearing their input? And this is what I want to know is. And this is what I got; you got to ask yourself. Do they invigorate you? Do they excite you? Do they give you energy?
Or are they sucking this energy out of you? By being around this person, is it a plus or is it a minus whenever you connect with them? So those are the things. Sheryl, what would you say people need to look for as far as choosing the right network that they are going to hang out with?
Sheryl: Look for somebody that is where you want to be or where you are. And look for somebody that you can open up to, somebody that you’re comfortable with. If they’re negative and you don’t like that, it doesn’t mean you can’t be friends with them. But you don’t have to keep them within that, what I call your perimeter of people.
You can still be friends with; I am friends with a lot of people that I don’t associate with on a regular basis. But if you’re going to listen to somebody, listen to somebody that’s good. Listen to somebody that gives you information; listen to somebody that teaches you something.
Don’t just listen for the benefit. Now, if you’re going to read a fiction book, read a fiction book. But if you’re going for some real-life thing, choose somebody that knows what they’re talking about.
Jerry I.: Right. Greg appreciate your comment there, and I thank you for saying that’s a good comment. For an educated guy like you, that’s really good. But what we’re trying to do here is just share thoughts of how to move forward in this world. When I look at Greg Polakow, Greg worked for a guy by the name of Bob Daniels at one time.
Bob Daniels was a visionary of the highest order.
And Bob Daniels was a visionary of the highest order. And more than likely, I would say that Bob had a very beneficial effect on Greg whenever Greg worked for him at Copperfield chimney sweep supply some years ago. So, as you look at this, these are the type of relationships that you are wanting to cultivate in your life, in your business, your family, and everything else.
You want to cultivate the right network of the right people.
You want to cultivate the right network of the right people, people that can energize you. People by listening to them can excite you, people that can help you see the potential of what you’re doing and help you get to that prize at the end. So is there anything you want to add before our time runs out today?
Every person you meet will affect you.
Sheryl: My thing is, every person you meet will affect you, every person. Now you have the control over how they affect you. And if you’re going to put yourself in the position of being affected by them again. The people you run into it is not your fault because it is a problem, or it is yours because you are there.
Jerry I.: Right. So we appreciate you joining us today here on the chimney and fireplace success network. My name is Jerry Isenhour and?
Sheryl: I am Sheryl.
I try to help put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Jerry I.: And we are with CVC success group. And just like if you look over my shoulder, I’ll move over, you can see there is pieces of a puzzle. And that’s what we do here at CVC success group. What we will do is we try to work with our clients and anyone that we can help, and I try to help them put the pieces of that puzzle together.
You see, because somewhere in your mind is your dream destination. And there’s only one thing holding you back from getting and living that dream destination, and to be honest with you, that’s you. That’s your drive, that’s your energy, and that’s your abilities to move forward. We can each and every one of us be what we envision being in life if we’re ready to put in the work to get there.
So again, we appreciate you joining us today it has been an honor, it has been a privilege, it has been a pleasure. And we hope to see you on a future episode of the chimney and fireplace success network. You have a great week and appreciate you tuning in with us today.