What is the Purpose of Mentoring? Think back to a time you were inspired by someone. Maybe they spoke at an event that you attended. Perhaps you have a favorite college professor. You probably remember that professor as a mentor, regardless of your memories.
- Was there something about the person that inspired you?
- Did it have to do with their speech or the message they shared?
Mentors can give us the push we need to achieve what we thought impossible.
Mentors don’t necessarily need to meet face-to-face. You could even read a biography or read about someone from history. You may be moved by a TED Talk. You can then reach out to the person and tell them how it affected you. You can also develop correspondence where you exchange ideas with this person.
What is the Purpose of Mentoring?
Mentorships are powerful. Mentorships give people the support they need to reach higher levels. Sometimes you don’t know where to start. Mentors can help you see the possibilities. They shouldn’t make the final decision for you but they can offer some guidance.
A mentor should not be held responsible for your career or life. If you don’t take the mentor’s advice and it fails, it’s possible that you didn’t follow all of the steps or that it is not the right path. You are responsible for your actions.
There are many bad mentors. It is your responsibility to figure out how to identify the best ones. Once you do this, you’ll be able to get the guidance you need to reach your goals.
Your mentor must trust you enough to give you their advice. You may have to step out of your comfort zone in order to take the necessary actions. This is often how you overcome barriers that hold you back. You will appreciate the value of a mentor when that happens.
You might not be able to afford mentors because they are too expensive. Some people have the opportunity to receive mentoring for free. If you don’t have the luxury of free mentoring, consider what you get out of the deal.
Can you imagine if you can make your career more exciting than your peers because you hired a mentor who was a good fit? The arrangement will provide you with more than just a salary and the relationships you build.
How To Choose A Mentor
A mentor can help you grow professionally. Mentors can help you avoid the pitfalls and streamline your learning process. Finding the right mentor can be difficult. These tips will help you select the right mentor.
A mentor must be trustworthy, it seems obvious. Some people may appear to be a good mentor, but they will not take the relationship seriously.
It will take some detective work to determine if a person is trustworthy. Asking questions to potential mentors is a good idea. You can ask others for their advice if you have concerns about the person. You can find information about the person online. Ask questions on forums and search engines. Although it might take some time, your research will pay off.
Mentors must also have a solid knowledge base. It is not a good idea to seek out a mentor who has not been through the same thing you are looking for. Some people are great at pretending. These people are not good at recognizing situations that require specific expertise. Refer to references to find out if a potential candidate has the right knowledge base. Online information can reveal the truth about potential candidates.
You may initially believe that you should choose someone like you. Sometimes mentors who are not like you are the best. You will gain a perspective that is different from your peers. You’ll gain an understanding of another person.
Look for a mentor with a strong network. A mentor who is well-connected and knowledgeable in your field is a great thing. A mentor who has a strong network will be able to help you move forward faster than someone who doesn’t have one. A mentor can help you connect with the right people, rather than putting you in situations that aren’t going to work.
You have the option of finding a mentor who will pay you or one who will help you free of charge. Both have their advantages. You can choose to have a mentor for free or pay. Make sure you clearly define the terms of your agreement. Find out what they expect from you and determine who is responsible. Good mentoring arrangements are a way to measure success or failure. You won’t know if it’s working unless you measure its success.
How To Be A Good Mentor?
Mentoring is an art like any other. Mentoring is not something you do out of nowhere. You as the mentor and the people you are mentoring require discipline.
To be a mentor, you must first ensure that your mentees do what you ask. You will waste your time if they don’t take the agreement seriously. Don’t just accept to mentor someone because they ask. Ask for more information about their work ethic, etc. You should also find out if they are proactive and motivated. These are the ideal candidates to assist.
It is important to establish rules from the beginning. You need to know what your responsibilities are and what you expect from mentors. This is even better if it’s in writing. It is important to record the responsibilities so that there are no misunderstandings later.
As much as you can, define boundaries. It is okay for your mentors to call you once in a while after work hours. But don’t allow them to call you for every little detail. You should let them know in advance what reason they might contact you.
Expectations should be set forth clearly. You may have to end the agreement if they are not living up to your expectations. You can give them another chance. However, your time is valuable. Do not let them exploit you. You should not allow them to refuse to do what you ask.
Don’t be a jerk if you mentor for a salary. Mentors are not cheap for a reason. You must give your best but expect to get a fair compensation for your efforts. Your fee can be used as a litmus test. Mentoring them is not possible for those who don’t want to pay the fee. It may seem like it takes more work to find high-paying clients. But, you’d be surprised at how wrong this belief is. You will find clients willing to pay your fee if you’re good at what you do and have the ability to back it up.
As a mentor, you should build a solid network. Mentors who are reliable and can be reached out to often will be a great mentor. You can only make this happen if you stay in touch with your network. You must make time to nurture your network relationships in order to benefit both yourself and your mentors.
