Mentoring
Last year, I participated in my company’s formal mentoring program where I participated as a mentee. Turns out mentoring relationships are f***ing dope. If you’re thinking about becoming a mentee, read on.
THREE INGREDIENTS FOR A GOOD MENTORING RELATIONSHIP:
One mentor that prioritizes the relationship. Mentors are typically more advanced in their careers, which means they can be super busy people. A good mentor will make time for you and make you feel important. The only way a mentor can impart wisdom is by making time for you.
One mentee that can talk about their interests and goals. Mentors are wise, but they aren’t clairvoyant. A good mentee will steer the conversation to topics that interest them. Make the most of your mentoring relationship as a mentee by getting the knowledge and advice you need.
Mutual understanding of expectations and standards. Mentors and mentees should discuss their expectations for the relationship at the start. Talk about how often you’ll meet, what medium you’ll use to communicate, what you want to get out of the relationship, etc. Starting off on the same page will give you a good foundation to build your relationship upon.
THREE MAJOR WAYS IN WHICH MY MENTOR PROVIDED VALUE:
Sounding Board. The great thing about having a mentor - they literally signed up to help me. I didn’t have to be shy about asking questions, no matter how stupid or embarassing. I could ask how to handle a sticky situation with a coworker, how to ask for a raise, or any other questions I may not be able to ask others.
Connections. Turns out that everything just boils down to connections. Who we know and work with define our careers. (Quite literally when it comes to P.E. recommendations.) And getting to tap into your mentor’s network is incredibly valuable. When I was trying to figure out which career path to pursue, my mentor connected me with super cool people I would probably never have met otherwise. Not only did these people help me with my goal of learning more about Project Management, they are now forever in my network. It’s a gift that will keep on giving.
Perspective. No matter how well-adjusted, self-aware, or all-knowing you may think you are, you’re still going to need additional perspective from time to time. One goal I set for myself was to practice my public speaking and eventually deliver a presentation to my entire office. While discussing this goal, my mentor suggested that I present to the entire company. My original goal of speaking in front of a group of 30 people was a big deal to me. Speaking in front of a group of hundreds of people wasn’t even on my radar. Perspective means being pushed to bigger better goals, getting a third-party perspective on a problem, and learning how to think about things in new ways.
WOULD I RECOMMEND:
Yes! My mentoring experience was highly positive and my mentor was the best. So at the end of this experience, I would highly recommend going out and getting a mentor of your own. I know there’s a possibility that your mentor might end up being an a**hole, but I don’t think this possibility should stop you. One, you could always quit if you hate it. Two, there’s something to learn from everyone - even if it’s only how to deal with an a**hole. Three, you’ll never know until you try.
Go on. Go get a mentor!