Philanthropy is a rewarding and challenging field that requires constant learning and growth. If you want to advance your career and make a positive impact, finding a mentor can be a great way to get guidance, feedback, and inspiration. But how can you be an effective mentee in philanthropy and make the most of your mentoring relationship? Here are some tips to help you.
Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how a mentor can help you. Do you want to improve your skills, explore new opportunities, or solve a specific problem? What are your short-term and long-term goals? How do you measure your progress and success? Having a clear vision of your goals will help you find a mentor who matches your needs and expectations, and also communicate them effectively.
As a mentee to students who are starting their own nonprofit organization , they generally have no idea what roadblocks they will encounter. Their fresh perspective is fantastic but it can be so off base from reality. As a mentor, I help them eliminate some of the set goals that simply aren’t going to be attainable and focus on what can be accomplished. There can be a sense of relief knowing that not everything has to be done but what gets done needs to be accomplished well.
One of the main benefits of having a mentor is getting honest and constructive feedback that can help you grow and improve. Don't be afraid to ask for feedback from your mentor on your work, your strengths, your weaknesses, and your areas of improvement. Be open to receiving feedback and use it to learn from your mistakes and celebrate your achievements. Feedback is a two-way street, so also give feedback to your mentor on how they are helping you and what you appreciate about them.
If you’re a good mentor, then you’re a safe person to share wisdom. In my work with others I’ve always had the idea that everyone is valuable no matter the ability or age. From here, even if a bad idea comes around, there’s a trust in knowing that I’m not looking down on someone even when I disagree with them.
A mentoring relationship is not a one-sided affair where the mentor does all the work and the mentee just passively listens. You need to be proactive and take initiative in your mentoring relationship. This means setting up regular meetings with your mentor, preparing questions and topics to discuss, following up on their advice and suggestions, and showing interest and enthusiasm in your learning process. Being proactive also means seeking out other learning opportunities, such as courses, events, or projects, that can complement your mentoring experience.
By nature I am a connector so when I find opportunities that align with my mentee I’ll make the connections. Last year I mentored a young g girl who was starting a recycling fashion nonprofit called green garments. I was asked to participate in a green fashion show in another town and brought my mentee with me. She was able to get great exposure and it helped her tremendously. She has gone to college and we remain in contact with ways that I can help. It might be as simple as send a YouTube video link of an entrepreneur who is recycling items and is very successful repurposing them for profit. It’s all about exposure to new ideas and those who can share experiences for inspiration.
A mentor is not your boss, your friend, or your therapist. They are a professional who is voluntarily sharing their time, knowledge, and experience with you. You need to respect their role, their boundaries, and their expectations. This means being punctual, reliable, and courteous in your interactions, keeping your commitments, and honoring your confidentiality agreements. It also means respecting their opinions, even if you disagree with them, and acknowledging their contributions, even if you don't follow their advice.
A mentoring relationship is a valuable and rewarding opportunity that can have a lasting impact on your career and personal development. You should always express your gratitude to your mentor for their support, guidance, and encouragement. You can do this by thanking them verbally, sending them a note, or giving them a small gift. You can also show your gratitude by applying what you learn from them, sharing your successes with them, and giving back to them or the philanthropic community in some way.
Gratitude is a way of life for me and so I definitely incorporate this into my work as a mentor. Although the reality is that I’m giving both money and expertise, I am getting to help a life. I’m quick to point out how proud I am of the students who learn from me. It’s extremely gratifying and I let the students know.
There’s definitely no course content readily available for mentors or mentees in the area of philanthropy that I’ve found so its mostly trial by fire. Seeking out an expert with a proven track record of success will shorten the learning curve. Don’t let fear of failure stop you from engaging. That’s my thought. Hope it helps.