How can you identify potential mentors?

Before embarking on the search for a mentor, take some time to reflect on your professional aspirations and areas where you could use guidance. For instance, are you looking for general career guidance or to improve on a specific skillset such as communicating for influence? Knowing your goals will help you pinpoint the experiences you need in a mentor and make your search more focused and effective.

It's a matching algorithm what is needed to match your aspirations with the mentor you need. Be very careful these days, the market is full of non authentic mentors. Choose your mentor after a detailed research and a few days of initial interactions.

In a recent workplace experience, I decided to seek out a mentor to further my career. But before I started my search, I realized the importance of defining my needs. I took a moment to reflect on my current situation, strengths, and weaknesses, as well as my short-term and long-term goals. I considered my preferred learning style and, with all this in mind, I listed down the specific skills, knowledge, and outcomes I aimed to gain from a mentorship. This exercise helped me narrow my search and pinpoint mentors who were the best fit for my objectives. It was a critical step in finding the right guidance and support to advance my career.

This is the reason I set up Next Level Mentoring, to make it easy in finding a mentor. At the first step, you complete our registration form that helps you think about what areas of guidance you want from a mentor. Ultimately it makes you answer the question of “why do you want a mentor”.

I had been out of the corporate world for more than a decade to run my consulting business in the real world. The schools never taught us how to sell and start a business. The University had employees teaching how to start a business. Therefore, the first thing I looked for is practitioners who had done what I wanted to do, and are still doing this. Interestingly, my mentors are my teachers in business programs. And indeed, I must like them and they must like me. My mentors are ruthlessly compassionate about running businesses, and are very transparent in that they tell me what I don't want to hear. That's how I got my mentors in the last decade.

If you're wondering how to find a mentor, look within your network. Identify those whose advice you trust and respect. Cultivate these relationships genuinely. Reach out, be vulnerable, and seek guidance. That first step might be daunting, but on the other side lies a valuable connection that can shape your career profoundly.

At the end of the day, your openness to others and willingness to be curious with them will attract others to you. Think about how you feel when someone asks for your advice? Pretty good, I hope. Well, give someone else that same gift - ask a question and view their response as a treasure. This has the effect of making others want to be around you because you have a unique way of helping others feel valued. This is also an incredible way to not just attract one, but many mentors into your circle. You may be surprised where mentors can come from.

In my workplace journey, I recognized the power of expanding my network to find potential mentors. I began attending industry events and joining online communities related to my field. These actions connected me with professionals who had the expertise and insights I sought. I also reached out to alumni from my college and asked for referrals within my organization. Volunteering for projects allowed me to collaborate with a broader range of colleagues. By actively engaging with new people, I increased my chances of finding the right mentor. I asked questions, shared my interests, and expressed my curiosity, which led to valuable connections and guidance along my career path.

Expanding your network is like weaving a vibrant tapestry of opportunity and inspiration. Each new connection is a thread of possibility that, when woven together, forms a beautiful mosaic of knowledge and collaboration. It's an adventure into the unknown, a journey that fuels your imagination and opens doors to unforeseen horizons. So, cast your net wide and embrace the magic of encountering diverse minds and perspectives, for in this intricate web of relationships, you'll find not only professional growth but also a tapestry of stories and ideas that ignite your imagination and propel you towards endless possibilities.

I agree with all of the above… but if this sounds like a lot of hard work, you can just sign up to Next Level Mentoring and get connected to mentors who are already registered and keen to help. And that’s the main shortcut with NLM, you only get introduced to people who are wanting to mentor. You could do all the above networking ideas, identify a great person who you would love to learn form, get to a point where you are confident to ask them to be your mentor…. for them to say no or be too busy to make time etc.

Beyond the compatibility game, remember that you are in the driver seat when selecting a mentor. My most memorable mentors are the ones I admired quietly for something (or group of things) that I observed them actually doing; things I liked or found that others responded positively. Make sure your mentors can not just tell you the way (that's a coach), but model/show you the way. There was someone in my career that I wanted to emulate in a number of specific ways, and I sought a relationship with him so I could act as a sponge when I was interacting with him. Turns out, in addition to those things I sought, he challenged me beyond belief (which I hated then) - and I look back fondly on the added professional gains during that time.

Even if they offer to be your mentor, take your time in choosing if you can. Find out what their weekly schedule looks like. Often it’s said that if you want a job to get done, ask a busy person. While this may be true with tasks, having a mentor who is spread too thin . working two jobs, on committees, and managing a family and pets, may lead to them not being available when you need feedback. Know their availability and other commitments.

While on the search, you'll encounter many mentors. A clear definition of your goals and the skills you seek can help guide you in the right direction. Sometimes these skills are often inspired by similar backgrounds, personalities, and objectives. This will help you communicate effectively and enhance your mentor-mentee relationship.

I think too much emphasis is put on compatibility when it comes to finding a mentor that it can stop people just getting a mentor. It’s just another excuse. “I am unsure if our values align”, you are never going to know that until you really get to know someone which takes a lot of time. The biggest factor for me is attitude, ‘the want to mentor’. Because that means this person is willing to help other people reach their next level which already screens out a lot of the negative traits. At NLM, you know this is the case with all our mentors as they are doing it altruistically. You only meet up roughly once a month for about 90 minutes each session. With such a short time frame, the compatibility issue doesn’t really play a factor.

Don't be surprised though if compatibility doesn't happen at first how you think. I am a little on the heavier side and my current member first asked me if I was pregnant, a potentially embarrassing situation for us both since I was not at the time. We were able to overcome this initial awkwardness and have been working together for over two years now.

In my workplace journey, before approaching a potential mentor, I sought feedback and advice from various sources. This process validated my needs, expectations, and compatibility, ensuring I was well-prepared. I turned to peers, colleagues, and even managers for their insights. Their input proved invaluable in shaping my mentoring goals. Additionally, I researched best practices and success stories, gleaning wisdom that helped me avoid common pitfalls. This thorough preparation not only made the mentorship process smoother but also allowed me to maximize the benefits of the mentoring relationship. It was a key factor in my professional growth.

I would just add that, learning from Robert Kiyosaki, there is a distinction between seeking for advice vis-a-vis opinion. I would be careful to look for someone to advise me when they haven't had practical experience. There is no point asking someone how to generate more leads or sell more when that person is struggling with lead generation and sales. Of course, tons of people love to give their opinion. But in the real world, my experience is that opinions don't add any real value to my business. In fact, 95% of such opinion is a waste of time.

In my experience, initiating contact and following up with a mentor is an important step in building a meaningful mentorship relationship. Here's a suggested approach: 1. Introduction Email: Start with a polite and concise email introducing yourself. Express your admiration for their expertise and mention any common interests or connections. 2. Clear Purpose: Clearly state your reason for reaching out. Explain why you believe their mentorship would be valuable to you. 3. Respect Their Time: Acknowledge their busy schedule and express your understanding of their commitments. 4. Request a Meeting: Politely request a meeting or conversation at their convenience. Offer flexibility in terms of time and format (e.g., in person/video chat).

This old way of finding a mentor sounds like too much hard work. You could make the decision that you want a mentor, be 3 months into trying to find one and be no nearer to actually having one. You may be one of the lucky ones who’s work has a mentoring program. If you do, then get on to it. If you don’t, or can’t get on to it for whatever reason, then you should consider signing up to Next Level Mentoring. If you need more info then google it.

Follow up is crucial, remember that you are the one asking of someone else's time so try to make it as easy for them to follow through as possible.

Initiating contact and following up with a new connection requires a thoughtful approach. Start with thorough research to craft a personalized and engaging initial message, respecting their boundaries and clearly stating your purpose and the value you bring. If there's no response, consider a polite follow-up, referencing your previous contact and offering flexibility, always expressing gratitude for their time and consideration. Building meaningful connections takes patience and persistence, so stay respectful and open to the process.

Be specific about what you're looking for ? When you ask your mentor for your needs and requirements ,be specific about that you're in need of guidance and why the mentor should consider you .LinkedIn is large platform for mentors, have soft connection and send message ,seek help and guidance .Some time you will get introduced by another leader ,take the conversation and get into a logical connect and synergies .

In the early years of my public health career, the concept of finding a mentor seemed elusive. To make it worse, I believed in several myths: that I needed permission from the individual to consider them a mentor, only one person could be my mentor, they had all the answers, and that it was a quick, one-time ask. Fast forward more than a decade later, I've learned valuable lessons. I realized my mentors weren’t people I formally asked; they naturally became mentors because of the significant impact they had on my decisions. They guided me through job changes, relocations, and entrepreneurial pursuits. Their influence didn’t stem from official titles but from genuine, supportive relationships that help you grow.

This is a small story on my startup mentoring experience .One of the mentee I have been supporting through online wants to meet me in person (She is outside my town ) and I met her for an hour. I wanted to understand the value I have created in her journey and why she was meeting even though the program got over. She was narrating that the inputs given by me brought more clarity of thoughts , identified the risk associated for her startup and mitigated the risk .She also wanted to continue the mentoring even after the program got over . It is important that the mentors should add value to the mentee and every mentee needs are different .

I think mentorship tends to be thought of as strictly business/professional. In my experience, the best mentors I’ve had also knew what was going on with me outside of the office and offered advice when I asked. While mentorship should be somewhat structured, it's okay to steer away and chat after work over a beer. Personal connection is essential in forming a strong mentor/mentee relationship. We're social creatures who need a sense of safety and belonging wherever we are. We want to be heard and understood. Consider the people who evoke some of those feelings in you.

In the age of information, the other side of the dagger is the information itself. One can easily get overwhelmed by the possibilities at our disposal. The question is no more "what to do" rather "what NOT to do". These days it's to easy to waste time after pointless and temporary pursuits that lead us nowhere. Evaluate the resources including knowledge and experience you and people around you possess. That will help you narrow down the pursuit and ultimately finding the right mentor. Take your time while deciding. Factor in all the variables affecting you and prospects and then stick to it for considerable time. That way either you will achieve success to share or have experience to impart. Good luck!

I believe that mentorship goes beyond the workplace as it is critical to your mental wellbeing and success as a person. I think you should have more than one if you can. Here are some different categories: - Someone on your team that knows the work that you are doing and what you are going through - Someone at your company, not on your team, if you are interested in learning about the company - Someone outside of your company in your field, so you can get new ideas and bring them into your work - Someone outside of your company outside of your field to give you general life advice I am not saying you need all of these, it is a lot. Just sharing some things I have experienced and found helpful ??