How can you use your network to find a mentor?

To find a mentor, identify your career goals, assess your current network, identify potential mentors, attend networking events, use online platforms, tap into alumni networks, join industry associations, engage in informal conversations, offer value in return, be genuine and respectful, seek guidance, not a job, and follow up consistently. This process may take time, but it's essential to build genuine connections based on mutual respect and shared goals.

First, think: Do I want direct suggestions on what I should do? If yes, you need a coach instead. To engage a mentor, here’re 3 practical considerations: 1. Know that mentors support you to make YOUR OWN conclusion, usually through storytelling, active listening & asking open-ended questions. 2. “I want you to mentor me” is a heavy charge. Do your homework and start with an informal conversation. Due to its flexibility, online meetups can be efficacious so don't discount it. 3. Don’t stress if you can’t get enough 1-on-1 time! Mentors role model the behaviors/achievements that you're developing and you can learn a lot by simply observing: how they react under pressure, how they regulate/express emotions + how they align actions with ethics.

In my experience, building network within your organization or within your work domain is not always necessary. One can always find mentors that relate to us or resonate with our interests outside our organization, as suggested by coveted network experts. Whoever you think can guide you best in your opinion, reach out in a personalized manner at the earliest !

Even if you've known your potential mentor for years, or you're reaching out to them for the first time, you should request their mentorship along with a summary of what specific professional skills or behaviors you're wanting to learn or improve. Not only does this exercise result in an honest self-assessment, but it gives your potential mentor the ability to assess whether they believe they can help you with your goals.

Cultivating relationship is the key to having a mentor for life. To ensure lifelong conversation, follow up on a consistent note. Have virtual/in-person coffee chats with them. Make sure they feel valued by your presence.

Having a mentor is much like having a teacher from school - they’re there for you, not all the time, but will guide you when needed. Everyone loves someone who appreciates them. Show appreciation not necessarily by buying them gifts, but just a simple email or text denoting your gratitude towards all that they have shared and done for you. Keep that relationship warm.

How can you use your network to find a mentor? Easy.. just start asking around. Before you do this ask yourself the 3 what’s - What am I, What do I want, and What am I Grateful for? Ask yourself why you need a mentor and what do you want. A lot of people are confused about what a mentor vs executive coach is. To clarify, mentorship is about guidance and advice, whereas coaching is about asking powerful, provoking questions to enable a person to come up with their own solutions. Also remember that most “mentors” might have a bias or opinion as your councilor or guide who “knows” you. Executive coaching offers a more structured environment tailored to professional growth from someone who’s not connected to your job, family, or friend group.

It is important when seeking a mentor, we should demonstrate reciprocity by emphasizing the mutual benefits of the mentorship relationship. We should clearly articulate how the mentorship can be a two-way street, expressing our eagerness to not only learn from their experiences but also contribute to their professional growth or network. Share our skills and insights that could be valuable to them, fostering a sense of collaboration. Showcasing the potential for mutual value, would make the mentorship proposition more appealing, indicating commitment to a balanced and constructive mentor-mentee dynamic. I strongly believe this approach helps establish a foundation for a meaningful and beneficial connection within our professional network.