How can a Commercial Leasing mentee find the right mentor?

1 Identify your objectives

Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn, improve, or achieve in your commercial leasing journey. Do you want to develop specific skills, such as negotiating, marketing, or analyzing deals? Do you want to explore new opportunities, such as different property types, markets, or niches? Do you want to overcome certain challenges, such as finding clients, managing time, or dealing with competition? Having a clear vision of your objectives will help you narrow down your potential mentors and communicate your expectations.

2 Research your options

Once you have defined your objectives, you can start researching your options for finding a mentor. You can look for mentors within your own network, such as your colleagues, managers, or peers. You can also reach out to industry associations, such as the Commercial Real Estate Association (CREA), the National Association of Realtors (NAR), or the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and see if they offer any mentorship programs or events. You can also use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Meetup, or MentorCruise, to connect with other commercial leasing professionals who are willing to share their expertise and experience.

3 Evaluate your compatibility

Once you have identified potential mentors, it's important to evaluate your compatibility with them. You want to find someone who not only has the knowledge and skills you seek, but also a shared vision, values, and personality. Ask yourself questions such as if they have the time and availability to mentor you, relevant background and credentials, same or similar goals and interests, and compatible communication and learning styles. Additionally, inquire about their expectations and preferences for the mentorship relationship, how they give and receive feedback, success stories and challenges as a professional, how they balance work and personal life, and how they handle stress and conflict. This will help you assess your compatibility with the mentor.

4 Establish your relationship

Once you have found a mentor who meets your criteria and agrees to mentor you, it is important to establish your relationship by setting ground rules and boundaries. You should decide how often and how long you will meet or communicate with each other, as well as the best methods and channels for communication. Additionally, you should identify specific topics or areas you want to focus on, and determine how you will measure your progress and outcomes. Furthermore, it is important to establish how any issues or problems will be handled. Moreover, it is essential to show appreciation and respect for your mentor by being punctual, prepared, and professional for every meeting or interaction. Additionally, you should actively listen, ask questions, take notes, follow their advice, apply their feedback, show your results, give them credit and recognition, express gratitude for their contribution, and provide feedback.

5 Review and adjust

Finally, you need to review and adjust your mentorship relationship as you go along. Monitor your progress and outcomes, and solicit and provide feedback to ensure satisfaction. You may need to make some changes or improvements, such as revising your goals or plans, changing the frequency or duration of meetings or communication, exploring new topics or areas, seeking additional or alternative sources of support or guidance, or ending or transitioning the relationship. Finding the right mentor can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for your commercial leasing career. By following these tips, you can find a mentor who can help you learn, grow, and succeed in the industry.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?