Tips for Creating a Successful Mentorship Experience
When you have the good fortune to connect with the mentor of your dreams you need to be prepared to make the most of the relationship. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Come to the relationship prepared - know what you want from it.
2. Choose a mentor based on your goals. Look for one that inspires you, whose values and vision aligns with your own!
3. Look for a mentor who demonstrates the skills & abilities that you want to learn, one that has the network connections that will expose you to further growth & development, or, to the connections you need to expand your market exposure.
4. You can have more than one mentor!
5. Look at mentors that are outside of your field. Don’t limit yourself to people that work within your current organization – look up and out to other places. Diversity might spark your creative juices! What possibilities can you discover by exposing yourself to the richness of other worlds?
6. Be open and clear with your mentor about your goals. Let them know what you are seeking, i.e. help with professional skill development - such as communication skills, or managing difficult employees, or, how to move your career forward.
7. Write your goals down and give a copy to your mentor so they can have them readily available to refresh their memory, or when an opportunity arises that they think might be right for you.
8. Establish a written contract that reflects both your goals for the term of your mentorship. Check-in on your progress at each of your meetings.
9. Mentoring is a two-way street. Most mentors are life-long learners that are hungering to learn as well. You are a rich source of information & fresh ideas - they want to know what you know! Consider: what value will you offer your mentor in return for sharing their time, knowledge, and networks with you?
10. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need – remember the premise of the relationship is your success!
Endless Possibilities are leadership experts providing customized professional development services to individuals and organizations. Please contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
