You’re a professional looking to develop a strategic mindset. How can mentoring help you get there?

Mentoring can help professionals develop a strategic mindset by providing guidance, feedback, and perspective from experienced mentors. Mentors can share their strategic thinking processes, insights, and experiences, helping mentees broaden their perspective, think critically, and consider long-term implications in decision-making. Through regular interactions and discussions with mentors, professionals can refine their strategic thinking skills, gain confidence in their abilities, and apply strategic approaches to their work and career advancement.

My FAVOURITE way to develop a strategic mindset is to get into the habit of asking yourself 2 questions. The first is "So what's possible?" Not what's logical, not what's right, not what you want and definitely not what you can do! Explore the possibilities as they are - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Once you have those, then ask yourself "So what's doable?" and listing all of those. Quickly you'll have a short list of plausible courses of action to achieve your ideal outcome!

Para um profissional em busca de desenvolver uma mentalidade estratégica, a mentoria pode ser um recurso valioso. Um mentor pode oferecer orienta??o personalizada sobre como pensar de forma estratégica, ajudando a desenvolver habilidades analíticas, vis?o de longo prazo e capacidade de tomar decis?es fundamentadas. Além disso, um mentor pode compartilhar experiências e insights práticos sobre como aplicar a estratégia em diferentes contextos profissionais, proporcionando orienta??o valiosa ao longo do processo de desenvolvimento

A strategic mindset is a way of thinking that focuses on the big picture on long-term analyzing the environment, and making informed decisions .It involves: # Thinking critically and analytically and analyzing potential outcomes. # Seeing the bigger picture that can influence the entire system. # Being proactive and taking steps to prepare for them. # Adaptability and learning from experiences. It is like in Career , Setting career goals, developing a professional network, and choosing the right career path needs a strategic mindset .

A strategic mindset is pivotal for navigating complex challenges and driving success. Mentoring plays a crucial role in its development by offering personalised guidance, fostering analytical thinking, and enhancing decision-making skills. Its is super important to seek for a mentor with a proven track record in strategic planning and leadership. Finding the right mentor involves networking, leveraging professional platforms, and participating in industry events. Maximise the relationship by setting clear goals, being open to feedback, and applying learned strategies. This tailored support accelerates your journey towards a strategic mindset, equipping you with the insights and confidence to make impactful decisions.

A good mentor will help you see the big picture - for your career, your work activities and your personal development. Being able to think in the framework of a 'big picture' is the first step to developing a strategic mindset. The next step is to help plan out a specific strategy for something that you need. Through the process, you will learn how such planning is done and what should / should not be considered.

O mentor tem um papel fundamental na jornada do mentorado que é o compromisso com o seu desenvolvimento. Uma mentalidade estratégica é fonte de inúmeras mudan?as. Pode iniciar com uma simples percep??o de cenário até ser ampliada alinhando atividades, metas claras, orienta??es, feedbacks e, claro, supera??o de obstáculos.

Mentors can provide guidance and share their experiences, which can help you understand how to think strategically. For instance, a mentor might share how they navigated a challenging business scenario by thinking strategically, which can provide a practical example for you to learn from . In a situation a young professional is starting their own business. A mentor with entrepreneurship experience can help them develop a strategic business plan, navigate challenges, and adapt to changing market conditions. #Mentorship Provide Guidance and perspective: # Mentors Challenge and give feedback: A mentor can push you to think critically and identify potential blind spots. # Mentors Support and encouragement

Mentorship goes beyond knowledge transfer. I learned that a good mentor helps you build confidence in your own strategic decision-making skills. Over time, you begin internalizing their thought processes, making you a stronger independent thinker.

A good mentor: - is passionate to mentor you (!!!) - has a lot of experience that is relevant to you - has enough time that won't keep you waiting too long - has a good idea of the 'big picture' that is relevant to your case - is patient and has experience in mentoring.

When finding a mentor who can help you with a specific skill, such as strategic thinking, it is important to look for someone who you admire who possesses the desired skill. Depending on your situation, it can be helpful to find someone in your industry, and other times, it can broaden your perspectives to find a mentor outside of your industry. There are pros and cons to each, but the benefits typically depend on what you are looking to get out of that specific mentoring relationship.

An aspiring entrepreneur might look for a mentor who has built a successful business in their industry. A new financial advisor might seek a mentor with a successful track record in wealth management. What to Look for in a Mentor: # Relevant experience: Choose someone with experience in your field or dealing with similar challenges. # Strategic thinking skills: Look for someone who demonstrates good problem-solving and long-term vision. # Communication and listening skills: Effective mentors can explain complex concepts clearly and actively listen to your concerns. # Willingness to share knowledge and provide guidance: Choose someone who is passionate about helping others learn and grow.

Remember, the best mentoring relationships are a two-way street. Be prepared to offer something in return, whether it's your own unique skills, a fresh perspective, or simply your enthusiasm and dedication.

Start by cultivating a lifestyle. Read from the greatest strategic leaders of the past. Go beyond and also read from the greatest poets, philosophers, and authors. You will learn a lot. Let them mentor you. Understand the circumstances those people faced and why they wrote as they did. Take this knowledge and start applying principles to your life (be a doer not just a hearer). This will help you build an ethical foundation. At some point, reach out to someone. By now you will have personal experiences to share. Keep studying and questioning. A seasoned mentor can be invaluable. Keep in mind that building a strategic mind is a journey. The skills you build will come out of a logical, ethical conviction and deep sense of purpose.

How to find a mentor: - Ask around, ask your supervisor, ask your friends. Whom can they recommend? - Once you get a few names of potential mentors, check their 'alumni'. Where had they been before mentoring and where did they end up afterwards? Was mentoring helpful to their careers? Is it the transition you want to have yourself? - Get in touch with the mentors and ask if they have time. Explain your situation. Explain why you choose them. See what they can contribute to your success & development. - Get in touch with their alumni. Seek their experience. - Try a few sessions with one mentor and see how it goes. - Make sure you know what you give back (payment, network, etc). Why should they spend time on you?

Remember that mentorship doesn't always have to be a formal arrangement. Sometimes the best mentors are colleagues, former professors, or even people you interact with in online communities who share insights that help you grow. One thing to add: Don't be afraid to make a direct ask once you've identified a potential mentor. Clearly express your interest, what you hope to learn, and respect their time. You might be surprised how many people are willing to help!

You can find a mentor through networking events, alumni networks ,professional organizations, or even within your own company. LinkedIn can also be a great resource for finding professionals in your field who might be open to mentoring Reach out to your personal network: Ask your colleagues, friends, or family members if they know someone who could be a good mentor.

I agree with all that’s been said, but also look for mentors outside of your core industry. So for example if you’re a data analyst in healthcare, look at mentors who work with data in B2B software or someone who is a leader at a research institute. You’d be surprised how many learnings can be applied across roles and industries.

To get the most out of mentoring: - Listen carefully. Absorb information. - BUT question the points your mentor says should work. Do your best to understand 'why this and not that'. Your mentoring is about understanding, not learning. - Prepare for each session. Think ahead - what can your mentor propose next time? Try to logically derive those points. This will greatly help you understand how your mentor thinks. Each time you start the session, you will have to correct your own logical conclusions. This is extremely effective for your personal development. - Explore new things yourself and bring your ideas/questions back to your mentor. The mentor should not explain the obvious. His/her primary work is to correct your views.

There was a stretch in my career where I felt stuck. A mentor helped me break out of the rut. She didn't offer solutions but helped me clarify my own goals. Through that process, I gained renewed motivation and a clearer action plan. This taught me that sometimes the most powerful mentorship isn't about getting the right answers, but about being asked the right questions.

1. Pick the mentor who understands you, but do not choose based on how supportive the person sounds. Mentoring is not about psychological support. It's about correcting your views, helping you navigate complex issues, and sharing experience. 2. Meet with the mentor when you are ready. Don't schedule very frequent meetings unless absolutely necessary. Mentoring works well when you have time to think about and implement what you discuss at each session. 3. Write down the key points. It's very easy to forget what you discussed a few months ago. 4. Mark your mentoring sessions across the entire year: which topics you discussed, what key points and why. This will help you strategically plan your mentoring.