How do you seek advice from mentors to make better decisions?

1 Identify your decision problem

Before you reach out to any mentors, you need to have a clear idea of what decision you are trying to make and why. This will help you narrow down your options, define your criteria, and identify your goals and challenges. You can use tools such as decision matrices, SWOT analysis, or pros and cons lists to structure your decision problem and make it easier to communicate to others. You should also consider the urgency, impact, and risks of your decision, as well as any ethical, emotional, or personal factors that may influence it.

2 Find the right mentors

Once you have a clear decision problem, you need to find the right mentors who can help you with it. Depending on the nature and scope of your decision, you may need one or more mentors with different backgrounds, perspectives, and expertise. You can look for mentors within your network, such as your colleagues, managers, or peers, or outside your network, such as industry leaders, experts, or coaches. You should choose mentors who have relevant experience, knowledge, and skills in the area of your decision, who are willing and available to advise you, and who are trustworthy and respectful of your goals and values.

3 Ask effective questions

When you approach your mentors for advice, you should ask effective questions that elicit useful and actionable information. You should avoid asking yes or no questions, leading questions, or vague questions that may confuse or limit your mentors' responses. Instead, you should ask open-ended questions, probing questions, or clarifying questions that encourage your mentors to share their opinions, experiences, and recommendations in detail. You should also listen actively, acknowledge their input, and follow up with relevant questions to deepen your understanding and build rapport.

4 Evaluate the advice

After you receive advice from your mentors, you should evaluate it critically and objectively before you apply it to your decision. You should not blindly accept or reject any advice, but rather weigh its pros and cons, compare it with other sources of information, and test its validity and relevance to your situation. You should also be aware of any biases, assumptions, or agendas that may affect your mentors' advice or your own judgment. You should ultimately make your own decision based on your best judgment and values, and thank your mentors for their guidance and support.

5 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?