Finding a way through the fog: what I learned from mentorship

Some years ago, I was navigating through a career fog. I couldn't extract meaningful lessons from succeeding or failing; it felt like playing career roulette. That's when a colleague suggested seeking mentorship, leading me to Marcus Wishart, whose mentorship would transform my journey over the next year.

While his expert soundboard didn't replace the work I had to do - concept notes, TORs, field missions, report reviews, meetings, and document revisions (you know the drill), it improved the quality and speed of my decision-making. Looking back, nothing much changed in my workplace environment, but what did shift was my perspective.

Here are some lessons I've learned. They do not apply to every mentoring situation, but I hope you find one or two insights meaningful and actionable.

1.????? Mentee, establish a structure from the get-go

I approached Marcus with specific challenges where I ?could benefit from his technical insights and proposed a timeframe for the mentorship. We set up regular meetings in advance and some opt-out options that remove the awkwardness of exiting a nonfunctional relationship.

2.????? Mentor, help set clear and honest goals

Marcus approached our journey as a collaborative process, for example, helping us reflect on what works and what does not. In the first session, He asked me to envision my ideal position in five years, encouraging complete honesty about my aspirations. For example, when he asked if I wanted to become a manager, my honest response that I preferred technical leadership helped him tailor his guidance.

3.????? Mentor and mentee: establish trust, or at least rapport

We shared enough personal stories to establish genuine rapport. This human connection created a safe for honest discussions without judgment. If you are lucky enough to build trust, as we were, go for it. ?But if you are not that lucky, at least build some non-work rapport.

4.????? Mentor and mentee: maintain focus

I always sent a note to Marcus at least a day before each discussion, and he always masterfully brought back any broad discussion to the goals of the mentorship while drawing from his own experiences. He consistently encouraged me to broaden my interpretation of workplace dynamics. He challenged me to think strategically about how my options aligned with my long-term objectives. Looking back, I needed this north star out of the fog: a framework to find the spot between excelling technically,? managing relationships, and furthering personal goals.

5.????? Mentor and mentee: respect each other’s time

Looking back, I think I made one sketchy move: taking a mentoring session from a noisy café. I was fatigued from COVID lockdowns and wanted to be outside. My mentor was cool with it, but the message here is that mutual respect for each other’s time helps ensure that every session is productive and focused.