How To Find A Good Mentor To Help You Succeed
Posted on February 13, 2014 by Debbie Choy, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.
We all know that having a good mentor could make a big difference in our careers. But what are the qualities of a good mentor and how do you find one?
“How do I find a good mentor?” is usually the first question proactive professionals ask me. If you are serious about growing your career, having a good mentor is a must.
A mentor is usually an older or more experienced person who shares his/her insights with another colleague. A mentor can be an advisor, counselor, teacher, and guide who helps the mentee think about how to advance their career, or navigate office politics.
What are the qualities that you should look for in a good mentor? Here are three key questions that can help you find a good mentor to help you succeed.
1. Is s/he interested in and available to help you succeed?
Not only should your prospective mentor have the inclination to help others and expect nothing in return, s/he should also have availability. There’s really no value in having a great mentor who is never around or too busy to return your calls. It’s a waste of your time trying to track your mentor down, and s/he won’t be engaged enough in you to really help you succeed.
If this prospective mentor is a senior manager with whom you have a connection, consider asking him/her to be your sponsor instead. Sponsors are advocates that you don’t see on a regular basis, but could help you in specific situations, such as nominating you for a promotion or introducing you to an important person.
- 2. Is this person a good teacher and listener?*
Some people are very successful, but are only interested in talking about themselves and their accomplishments. These may not be the best mentors for you. The type of advisor and teacher you want should be a good listener too, who is not always cutting you off to tell you about their last big deal. Crucially, are they able to guide you gently and not dictate what you should do?
Before you approach someone to begin a mentoring relationship, be sure to test the waters first. Some charismatic leaders can be wonderful people, but if they aren’t going to listen to your challenges and advise you on them, they may not be ideal mentors for you.
- 3. Is this person trustworthy and respected in your company?*
Being able to trust your mentor is a MUST. You will be telling him/her some very personal things and if this person cannot keep a secret, s/he may end up jeopardizing your career. Further, is this person respected in your company? The more successful and admired your mentor is, the more doors s/he can open for you.
Naturally, a successful and respected leader will always have many people approaching them for advice. Bear in mind that a very senior or successful leader may not always be the best mentor for you.
With the above three questions, I hope that you now have an idea on how to find a good mentor to help you succeed. Good mentoring relationships are healthy, productive ties that help people be more successful. Make the investment in finding the right mentor now.
