Mentorship- Unlocking your Potential

January 17th, today?is the day that is celebrated as an International Mentorship Day. In my view each of us are?playing the role of a mentor or a mentee depending on any given situation. Everyday we are living through the sentiment of Mentorship? .? For those who have known me for years, know that this is something that is close to my heart.? ?

For every mentor mentee engagement I keep this quote in my mind :“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” Personally it has helped me reflect on my career journey across several moments. The Power of Mentorship: Mentorship is not just a word around teaching or sharing your experience, it’s about engaging yourself with passion, revealing the skills and strengths of a mentee. Mentorship does not have to be tied up with the professional world. We all had our mentors across various phases of our lives. Growing up, the two most amazing mentors I had were my grandfather and my mother.? My grandfather not only taught me the beauty of literature but always emphasized on keeping things simple yet with a style. On the other hand my mom taught me to stay strong and never hesitate to ask or speak up.? As we step into the business landscape, things start to get more complex and constantly changing. In order to succeed one needs to have a good balance of hard and soft skills. ?During these times, having a mentor whom you can trust is extremely helpful. Mentorship can truly change your life irrespective of where you are in your journey.?

Here are some learnings that I have gathered being a part of Mentor- Mentee engagements in my journey.?I hope they come in handy if you are thinking of either being a mentor or finding a mentor as a mentee

Traits of a good Mentor

• A mentor is someone whom you can trust, someone who sees more talent and capability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps you articulate it.?
• A good mentor is someone who not only builds trust but respects confidentiality and creates a safe space for mentees so that they can share things with transparency.
• ?A mentor needs to have a radical candor at all times. This? is no secret that when it comes to receiving feedback, it can get very hard.? A good mentor will always care personally but challenge directly.
• ?Mentors help you build the muscle around leadership skills such as : Being available, being an active listener, being able to analyze within a certain context.
• ?Conversations with great mentors help you be more self-aware and observant.? Personally I continue to learn? by observing? people whom I admire , irrespective of whether I have met them or not.?
• When the times are tough, mentors help in raising your confidence and bring a boost in your emotional health.???????
• ?Mentors are always thinking of your well being and at the right time, they are willing to help you via their precious network.????
• The best way one can mentor is sharing knowledge and experiences via storytelling so that they are relatable.
• As a mentor, keeping an open mind is important. Mentorship is a two way street and as a mentor you can learn a lot from your mentees at times. Do not miss that opportunity.?????????????????????

Traits of a great Mentee

• As a mentee in order to get the best of this engagement, it is important to keep three things in mind: Clarity , Communication and Commitment?.
• Be clear about your mentorship goals specifying areas of focus?.
• Be an engaging and active listener.
• Be a good executor , turning words into actions. Your mentor is acting as a navigator and not on the driver's seat.
• ?Be curious and hungry to learn?.??????
• ?At times be open for honest and critical feedback?.?
• Nurture this relationship and take time to connect and know each other?.
• Most importantly express a sense of gratitude towards the dedication that comes out of this relationship where you get to learn and share real life experiences.????????????

As Winston Churchill has rightly said:” We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." ?If you are able to, please take an opportunity to mentor someone around you and lift each other. Mentorship can be an incredibly rewarding and beneficial experience for both the mentor and the mentee. It is important to take the time to find the right mentor and to be aware of the expectations and boundaries of the relationship. With the right mentor, you can gain invaluable insight and advice that can help you reach your goals and achieve success. Happy International Mentorship Day!!