How do you deal with potential mentoring gaps or mismatches in your career path?

Actually, I beg to disagree - many people (in my experience) seek mentoring exactly because they *don't* have a clear idea of what they want to achieve, learn or improve in the careers. They may have had that clarity once and now feel a bit 'adrift' (not uncommon later in life), it may be that they have achieved what they set out to achieve and it turns out that wasn't the answer they thought it would be or it may well be that they never did know and want some help thinking that through.

Are you working with a mentor? If so, make sure you set a clear goal to know when it's time to review your mentor/mentee relationship. Having a goal in mind will help you measure your progress and ensure that you are getting the most out of your mentorship experience. Don't be afraid to communicate with your mentor and make adjustments along the way. Remember, a successful mentorship is a two-way street!

First and foremost, I make sure to seek out mentors who have experience and expertise in areas that are relevant to my goals and aspirations. This means identifying individuals with the knowledge and skills I need and who share my values and can provide meaningful guidance and support. By being open and honest about my needs and expectations, I can often work with my mentor to find creative solutions that meet our needs. Effective mentoring requires a shared commitment to learning and growth and a willingness to adapt and evolve. By remaining flexible and open-minded, I can continue building strong relationships with mentors who can help me navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise throughout my career.

A mentor has to genuinely care and see the potential in someone, and their direction must be compassionate and constructive. My first mentor said I was immature, indecisive, and inept (he was right) and put me on 90 days probation at Christmas. However, he also said "we see something in you", and that changed my career and my life. Over time, I became a mentor to many because I see things in people and just can't help but offer assistance. I have learned over the past four decades that mentorship becomes friendship when it's done right, and mentors can learn from those they mentor. Helping others realize and reach their potential is the most satisfying part of my professional life, and I owe it to my first mentor.

When seeking a mentor, it's important to consider what criteria they must meet in order to truly assist you in achieving your goals. For instance, they may need to have a deep understanding of the challenges you face as a result of your gender. Additionally, industry knowledge is crucial, unless you're looking to pivot away from a specific industry. It's also possible that you're seeking someone with specific experience to add to your own toolset. Keep in mind that a mentorship is a working relationship between two people, so it's vital that your cultural and management values/language align. When you find the right mentor, the sky's the limit!

It's always a good idea to seek multiple sources of mentoring across lines of diversity. This is because each mentor brings a unique perspective and set of experiences. By seeking diverse mentors, you can gain a more well-rounded understanding of your field or industry and develop a broader range of skills. Having multiple mentors can also help you build a strong network of professionals who can support you throughout your career. So, whether you're just starting or looking to take your career to the next level, seeking out multiple mentoring sources is smart.

To establish a successful mentoring relationship, it's crucial to define the rules of engagement right from the start. This includes determining the desired meeting frequency, your mentor's availability during specific times of the day, and any potential time zone differences. It's also important to establish availability & methods of communication outside of scheduled sessions and set expectations for response times. Having clear ground rules in place can facilitate effective communication and create a more productive mentoring experience.

When it comes to mentoring, it's important to regularly evaluate and adjust your approach to ensure that it's effective and meets your mentee's needs. Here are some tips for assessing and adjusting your mentoring: 1. Set clear goals 2. Check in regularly 3. Ask for feedback 4. Be flexible By regularly evaluating and adjusting your mentoring approach, you can ensure that you provide the best possible support for your mentee.

A mentorship should engage you, inspire you, and be something you look forward to. If those things aren't happening, or you feel like you've plateaued in what you can learn from someone - that's ok! Be sure to thank your mentor for what they have provided you with, and let them know that you're starting on a new path of learning and growth.

Anyone, at ANY stage of their development can - and perhaps should - be both a mentor and mentee. Seasoned leaders can certainly be a great mentor to a young / emerging leader, AND, if open to it they can probably learn much from the perspective, experiences and skills of that emerging leader! If you are a life-long leader open to being challenged, mentorship can provide benefits and rewards REGARDLESS of your role or years of experience. Mentorship can and should be a 2-way street. The biggest question is: Are YOU secure and humble enough to recognize how to benefit from both sides of the coin?

You should also consider the value of what athletes would call cross-training. When we think about professional mentoring, we are often only focused on our field of expertise, industry, and profession. However, the best ideas are often generated through exposure to adjacent fields. Seek mentors not only in your profession, company, and industry, but wherever you see examples of excellence. My most profound insights and learnings come from mentoring that I received 20+ years ago in a field that couldn't be further from what I am doing professionally. Take your blinders off and learn from excellence wherever you can find it.