Mentors Are Game-Changers

When my father died when I was 19 years-old, I immediately gravitated to older mentors that I could lean on, learn from, and seek out when I needed personal or professional advice. Given we're nearing the end of National Mentoring Month and I have seen some meaningful posts from Jermaine Myrie , CEO of MENTOR, I have found myself thinking about the mentors in my life.

My mentors come in many different forms -- personal friends, religious leaders, professional connections, CEO's, philanthropists, even alumni from my college A cappella group. I sought advice from mentors on my marriage proposal (I needed to figure out how to incorporate elephants), raising two boys, how to lead teams, and so much more. A mentor gave me the confidence to start my own business almost five years?ago.?

I am forever grateful for the lessons I've learned and the resources my mentors have provided at critical stages, and it is now a privilege beyond belief to serve as a mentor myself.?

It is critical to be intentional about how to leverage these precious resources:

- Seek out specific mentors at specific times and ask for specific advice. If you need relationship advice, for example, find a mentor who has clearly mastered their partnership and found balance in their personal and professional lives. If you are leading a team for the first time, find an expert in management and leadership. Your mentors will undoubtedly be able to offer advice on a range of issues, but a specific focus area to start is always helpful.?

- If you don't have natural access to a community of mentors, lean on your personal and professional network. Ask your family, your friends, or your organization's leadership.?

-? Send your mentor an agenda in advance of your meeting. Not only are you respecting their schedule by mapping out your time together, but you will also be able to focus on your most time-sensitive needs.

- Ask your mentor their favorite books on specific subjects, what newspapers and trade magazines they read, and who they follow on social media to learn and be provoked. Tapping into their network of resources will be helpful and provide meaningful?subjects to?discuss.?

- If your mentor gives you advice that you put to work, report back and thank them. Nothing gives a mentor more pride than seeing their mentee find success.

- Assuming you learned from your initial meeting, ask your mentor to meet with you regularly. A bi-annual or quarterly session to review progress, work through challenges and opportunities, and discuss next steps is the recipe for a meaningful relationship with your mentor.

Thank you to the many mentors that have guided and supported me over the years.