Skeptical About Mentoring?

About five years ago, I signed up to be a mentor through the American Staffing Association (ASA). Experts say mentorship is essential to personal development and career advancement, so I decided to see its impact for myself.

I was reluctant to sign up because I was nervous, so you can imagine my reaction when I was paired with a CEO! I was terrified he would be disappointed. What could he possibly learn from me? ?

Despite my reservations, I decided to give it a shot and show up authentically. During our first conversation, I learned his story and why he signed up as a mentee instead of a mentor. His reasoning really spoke to his character and development. Over the course of six months, I discovered that I did in fact have valuable advice and insight to share with him. We learned from each other, and isn't that what mentoring is all about? To this day, we are great friends and continue to check in with each other from time to time. ?

Benefits on both sides

I’ve since served as both a mentor and a mentee several times, and I’ve realized they are mutually beneficial. There are advantages to serving on either side of the relationship.

Some of the perks to having a mentor include:

• Practical advice. This is the top reason people seek out a mentor. Mentors can provide guidance on not just your career or how to succeed at your job but salary negotiations, networking, and workplace challenges. Their advice may even extend into your personal life.
• Honest feedback. Praise and constructive criticism are equally important, and a mentor should provide both. The most rewarding aspect of a mentor’s feedback is that it entails more than just job performance (the feedback you typically receive from your manager); it can touch on communication, leadership, and strategy.
• New skills. In addition to providing guidance, mentors can teach! You may have the chance to learn skills that are relevant to your professional and personal goals.
• Credibility. Your mentor has likely earned a certain amount of respect, and their credibility will inevitably rub off on you. Your association with this person may affect other people’s regard of you and your abilities.
• New opportunities. Mentors often know of job openings within an industry and can connect you with the right people. As they say, it’s not what you know but who!

There are also many benefits to being a mentor!

• Satisfaction from giving back. Each of us have the power to make a positive impact on someone’s life, and there is nothing like helping someone reach their goals. There’s also the mentoring ripple effect. When you mentor someone, you’re giving that person the skills and knowledge they need to mentor others.?Your impact could be larger than you realize.
• Improved communication. Listening is one of the most important aspects of communication. To be a great mentor, you need to be able to learn and build rapport. You’ll do a great deal of listening before you share any advice.
• Leadership skills. The best leaders put the success and wellbeing of others first, and a mentorship relationship is a great way to exercise this skill. If you are seeking a promotion into a leadership role, you’ll be able to share your mentor experiences as an example of your ability to thrive in that role.?
• Community. Mentoring is a great way to build your network and grow your circle – perhaps with a member of a generation different than your own!

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How to find the right mentor for you

Look within. The more you know about yourself, the easier it’ll be to find the right person to fill the role. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses to help decide what you need to learn and where you need to grow.

Start with those closest to you. Begin your search within your network. For example, you may find someone perfect for you through a mutual friend or colleague. If you need to extend your search, consider attending business associations in your area, joining community groups, or volunteering for nonprofit organizations. As you get to know the members, you’ll likely find someone who fits the bill.

Think outside the box. Consider all ages, career levels, backgrounds, and industries. There’s a common misconception that the best mentors are seasoned professionals. While this is often the case, your choice in mentor isn’t about age or experience so much as who will best suit your needs. Perhaps this is why ASA paired me with a CEO years ago. They must have seen something in me that he needed.

Be bold. Don’t assume that someone won’t have time or interest.?Recently someone approached our HR team asking if I would serve as her mentor, and everyone thought that I didn’t have the time to take that on.?I was thrilled to be asked, and we had a great experience that re-energized us both!??

If you have been on the hunt for a mentor with no success, don’t despair. Be your own mentor! Take online courses, read books, or join LinkedIn Groups. There are so many options today to learn and grow independently. Take ownership of your personal and professional development.?

Still skeptical?

If you are still unsure if you want to be a mentor or have a mentor, that’s ok! I haven’t always held one of these roles throughout my career. These relationships have developed over time when I needed them most.

Even if mentorship is not top of mind to you, surround yourself with people who have the skills or qualities that you want to develop. Actively seek introductions to people you want in your circle. This is something I have focused on in both my personal and professional life, and it has served me well.

With a strong network, even if you do not actively pursue mentorship, you’ll likely find that it has found you.

“Surround yourself with people that push you to do and be better. No drama or negativity. Just higher goals and higher motivation. Good times and positive energy. No jealousy or hate. Simply bringing out the absolute best in each other.”

- Warren Buffet