How do you find and access mentoring opportunities and resources in your industry or sector?
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Before you look for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from the relationship. Do you want to develop a specific skill, explore a new career path, or get feedback on your work? Write down your objectives and prioritize them. This will help you narrow down your search and communicate your expectations to potential mentors.
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In my view, the biggest mistake one can make in Identifying the objectives is by being short-sighted. You need to see your long term goals instead of just targeting what's your next step. One need to think Macro and see the career & life with a long term vision in order to Identify your objectives,
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Ideally we find mentor 1 (in function) and mentor 2 (out of function) inside our company. This is not always possible for certain goals (SMART) of course. It’s helpful to outline your career map and then see where the gaps are role wise, skill wise, education wise, and people wise. Find people that align with your personal mission and have been in positions you want to fill. Sometimes trade associations and member groups can help. I’ve found a mentor on LinkedIn too!
There are many ways to find and access mentoring opportunities and resources in your industry or sector. You can start by asking your colleagues, managers, or peers for recommendations or referrals. You can also join professional associations, online platforms, or networks that offer mentoring programs or events. Alternatively, you can reach out to someone you admire or respect in your field and ask them if they would be willing to mentor you.
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5 Questions to ask before choosing a Right Mentor. It is critical to know that you can work and communicate well with the person who's going to help guide your career. ?? What experience and expertise does the potential mentor have in my field or area of interest? ?? What is the mentor's approach to mentorship, and how does it align with my goals and needs? ?? What is the mentor's availability and willingness to invest time in our mentorship relationship? ?? What is the mentor's reputation and track record of success, and how have they helped other mentees grow and succeed? ?? What is the mentor's communication style and how do they prefer to work with their mentees, and how does it align with my own communication and work style?
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Don’t settle for the first person that you speak with about a mentoring opportunity. The process is like dating and although possible to marry the first person you date, it’s unlikely. Same with mentorship. Think of this as a two way interview for a 6-12 month position. Identify your goals and then start to inquire and even ask people already in your network (boss, HR leader, coach, buddy) who they may suggest as a perspective mentor to you!
Once you have a list of potential mentors, you need to evaluate how well they fit your objectives, style, and personality. You can do this by reviewing their profile, portfolio, or testimonials, or by having an introductory conversation with them. Look for signs of compatibility, such as shared values, interests, or goals, as well as evidence of their expertise, availability, and feedback skills.
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Once you have asked the right questions, 80% of the job is done. All you have to do now is to identify the mentor by being totally objective with respect to your long term objectives. The key lies in focusing more on your values than short term goals. Needless to mention that you need to view the interests & values of potential mentor along with their expertise.
After you find a suitable mentor, you need to establish the relationship and set the ground rules. You can do this by creating a mentoring agreement that outlines the purpose, scope, duration, frequency, and format of the sessions. You should also discuss your expectations, responsibilities, and boundaries with your mentor. Be respectful, honest, and open with your mentor, and show appreciation for their time and support.
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Establishing a solid foundation for your mentoring relationship is crucial. The key lies in establishing open and effective communication, setting clear expectations, and fostering mutual trust and respect. Once you have established the foundation, then you can focus on real learning. Without establishing a relationship, you might struggle on the basic communication issues, or may be trust issues at times depending upon the complexity of the issues being discussed.
To make the most of your mentoring opportunity, you need to utilize the resources that your mentor provides. This may include advice, guidance, feedback, contacts, or learning materials. You should also seek out additional resources that complement your mentoring sessions, such as books, podcasts, courses, or events. Be proactive, curious, and flexible in your learning process, and apply what you learn to your work or personal projects.
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Finding and accessing mentoring opportunities and resources in your industry or sector is crucial for professional development: By following the below pointers one can access the mentoring opportunities: 1-Networking- Try to expand your current professional network, be it on linkedIn or any other social media platform. 2-Engage and be active with your Industry leaders by reading their perspectives/blogs etc on LinkedIn. 3- Ask yourself what are the end goals which you are trying to achieve. 4- Ask your mentor about his/her approaching style or communication style towards you. 5-Be ready to invest your time in the action items suggested by your mentor. 6- Open for feedback.
Finally, you need to review the outcomes of your mentoring relationship and assess how well you achieved your objectives. You can do this by tracking your progress, measuring your results, and collecting feedback from your mentor and others. You should also celebrate your achievements, acknowledge your challenges, and identify your next steps. You may decide to continue, modify, or end the relationship with your mentor, depending on your needs and goals.
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Never have just one mentor or mentors in just one field. Diversify the things you are learning from multiple people to obtain many skills that work together to help achieve your goals.
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