Maximise your growth with effective mentorship
Propel your development
Whether you are an employee or are working for yourself, you might have thought about getting a mentor. In this blog, I look at what to expect from a mentor, why have one, and where to find one. If you are looking for guidance, a mentor can provide support, knowledge, and wisdom.
What does a mentor do?
- A repository of knowledge: Mentors have amassed a wealth of knowledge and expertise. They share this information with their mentees to help them navigate problems and challenges.
- Advisor: Mentors can help mentees when asked for advice. A good mentor will not solve the problem or decide for the mentee. Instead, they will lead the mentee to a solution by offering insights and guidance. They will also help their mentee to understand how some actions could make the problem worse and therefore less likely to reach their goals.
- Gardener: Mentors have experience in identifying strengths and weaknesses. A good mentor can look at a situation or a person objectively and provide conclusions that are not biased. In this way, a mentor can help their mentee define areas for improvement and promote growth.
- Confidence builder: A good mentor will help their mentee to take calculated risks and chase opportunities. Without this support, a mentee may not chase certain opportunities because they think they are not ready.
- Networker: Mentors usually have a huge network of valuable contacts and resources they have curated over the years. Mentees can often get an introduction to this network.
- Listener and Supporter: An important part of being a mentor is being able to listen to concerns and questions. Being able to listen can be a hard skill to master, especially when the answer seems obvious. A good mentor will listen carefully and respond when appropriate.
- Someone who also wants to grow: Being a mentor is not just a learning experience for the mentee, but also for the mentor. A good mentor will admit when they need to learn something new. By being open to learning new skills, such as learning to communicate in new ways, the mentor also has the opportunity to develop themselves.
The goal of a mentor is to promote the growth and development of their mentee. This helps their mentee achieve their personal or professional ambitions.
Why do I need a mentor?
Taking the time to find a mentor who understands you and your goals can provide many advantages. Knowing you have someone who understands your situation can significantly help reduce stress and anxiety associated with new challenges. Many of us confide in our family and close friends. Concerning work though, they may not have the experience and insights relevant to our role and responsibilities. Loved ones may also have a biased view because of their feelings for us.
Whether you need a mentor to help you navigate your personal or work life, both of you will benefit from checking you understand each other’s personalities and approaches to tackling challenges. Your mentor should understand what drives you and what scares you. They should understand how to encourage you to take risks without causing undue stress and anxiety. A good mentor will also help you discover insights by guiding you to find the answers rather than just telling you what to do. In return, a mentor will offer their services because they genuinely want to help another person. If they do not feel their mentee is taking their advice seriously, they could end the mentorship.
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
What makes a good mentee?
To be a good mentee, it helps to have the following qualities. But don’t worry if you don’t tick all the boxes. The mentor/mentee journey is a learning opportunity for both parties. You both learn how best to work with each other and develop a trusting relationship.
- Openness to Feedback: A mentee who accepts suggestions for improvement so they can continue their growth and development.
- Receptiveness: A mentee who will consider new ideas and perspectives and step out of their comfort zone.
- Self Awareness: A mentee who thinks about their progress and identifies improvement opportunities.
- Curiosity: A mentee who wants to ask questions, and obtain answers, therefore fueling their desire to learn.
- Responsibility: A mentee who can manage their development, goal setting, and stay true to their commitments.
- Communication Skills: A mentee who can communicate what they want, what challenges them, and how they have progressed.
- Initiative: A mentee who will take a proactive approach when it comes to engaging their mentor, learning, and applying what they learn.
- Mutual Respect: A respectful relationship between the mentee and mentor, appreciating the time and experience they share.
Where can I find a mentor?
- Professional Organizations: Join associations related to your field; they often have mentorship programs.
- Networking Events: If possible, attend industry conferences, seminars, or workshops where you can meet experienced professionals. Your employer will likely pay to send you to networking events as part of promoting your company.
- Online Platforms: Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with potential mentors. Look for groups or discussions in your area of interest. Check out the freemeup blog “Harness the power of social media” to start growing your network and get yourself noticed among your peers.
- Local Community Groups: Check out local business incubators, co-working spaces, or community colleges that may offer mentorship opportunities.
- Universities: If you’re a student or alumni, reach out to your university’s career services or alumni network.
- Volunteer: Get involved with organizations, associations, or causes you care about; you may meet mentors in the process.
When searching for a suitable mentor, set clear expectations and request the same from them.
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