What Should a Mentor Look Like?
Yes, the question would be better phrased "what should you look for in a mentor", but apparently that is not always the way it works! A friend recently shared a story with me about one of her team members performance reviews. This team member was asked "if you could have a mentor from within the industry, who would you choose?" Her response was me, which of course was very flattering, but what happened next really made me laugh. Her Principal hadn't heard of me (I know, hard to believe!!), so he did what anyone else would do in this day and age and googled me... The Principal was quite horrified when one of the first things that popped up was a photo of me performing in the Mardi Gras earlier this year, and advised his team member that I would certainly not be an appropriate person to have as a mentor.
I didn't take offense to that reaction, but it did get me thinking on all manner of things, including how quick we are to judge based on what we see on social media! Further searches could have divulged a lot of positive reasons as to why I would in fact be a worthy mentor for a young woman in real estate, but apparently bejewelled g-strings and feathers negate all of those other positives!
In his book "Chapter One", Daniel Flynn from #ThankYouWater calls mentoring the one true way you can time-travel, which I think is an awesome way of thinking about it. If you were advising someone who was looking for a mentor, what would you advise they should look for?
I am an Australian mystery fiction author | 13 X Amazon bestselling books | Writing festival speaker | Short book writer
6 年Great article . I wrote a similar article myself. Mentors are important
Managing Director of ROOM (nee The Apartment Store) an FF&E supplier to Holiday Parks, Airbnb's, Hotels and Tourist accommodation, Mining Camps, Defense
7 年Results! Like I expect my dentist to have healthy teeth, my gym instructor to be fit and my accountant to be solvent, I expect my mentor to be successful. After due diligence on them I need someone who is fun! Thankfully I have found that person...my business wouldn't have scaled interstate with out her Lorraine CarusoI am very lucky
Australia's Most Respected Authority on Optimising People & Performance - Human Capital and Talent Management & Exit Specialist - Author, Speaker & Advisor
7 年good thoughts here Leeann. A good mentor needs to be non judgemental and patient but can also look to push and extend you beyond your comfort limits.
Consumer Focus Specialist & Business Development Strategist
7 年I agree good article, in answer to your question ... what would you advise they look for? Keep it real "authenticity", leadership in their field and a great attitude towards life and living. Creativity and passion for their industry. Finally, the ability to encourage and motivate a person to believe that they can succeed. Thanks Leanne and what a great photo.
Abundance and Wealth Consultant | Life and Career Consultant | Business Consultant | The Abundance Activator | Author Abundance 101 | Co Founder Holistic Divorce
7 年Good piece, Leanne. Thanks!