In this article we will be discussing the following; who is a mentor, What is Mentoring and why do I need it, and What are the qualities of a good Mentor? , Should I join a Mentorship Program?
The word mentor comes from the character “Mentor” in Homer’s epic tale, The Odyssey. Mentor was a trusted friend of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca. When Odysseus fought in the Trojan War, Mentor served as friend and counsel to Odysseus’ son Telemachus.
Either in a discussion or while reading you must have heard of the term Mentor/Mentoring or even Mentorship. Yeah, there are a lot of Mentorship programs out there which at one point or the other you must have come across.
In Whatever level of your career you find yourself in, personal and professional development are vital. However, if you have little professional experience, you could occasionally feel disoriented when navigating your career path and sector. This is were a mentor comes into place
From not making certain business decisions to fostering certain partnerships, a mentor can help guide you through your entrepreneurial, Career or Life journey.
A mentor is a person who has years or decades of practical experience in your field who can help you develop your professional abilities and learn priceless lessons.
Nowadays, getting a mentor is a significant piece of advise from globally successful business people. This is because mentoring is important for both personal growth and career situations.
The purpose of mentoring is to grow by tapping into the knowledge and experience of someone further along than yourself. It’s the best way to accelerate your development.
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Who is a Mentor?
A mentor is someone who acts as an advisor and support person for someone less experienced. Traditionally, the relationship is between an older employee and a younger one for the purpose of career development. With a primary focus on growth and development.
A mentor is someone who gives you advice on how to develop your abilities, make wiser choices, and obtain fresh viewpoints on your life and profession. Your mentor will use their experience to help you now and in the future with your professional or personal life as a mentee.
A mentor is someone you may look to for guidance and a role model to emulate rather than learning through trial and error.
What is Mentoring?
The Term Mentoring refers to a relationship between two people with the goal of professional and personal development. It usually exist between two or more people , referred to as The Mentor and Mentee.
The “Mentor” is usually an experienced individual who shares knowledge, experience, and advice with a less experienced person, or “mentee.”
Mentors become trusted advisers and role models – people who have “been there” and “done that.” They support and encourage their mentees by offering suggestions and knowledge, both general and specific. The goal is to help mentees improve their skills and, hopefully, advance their careers.
The goal of mentoring is to pair up someone with extensive knowledge and experience with someone who hasn’t yet attained those same levels of knowledge and experience.
By having someone who knows more than yourself share advice, offer guidance and be a sounding board for your thoughts you stand to benefit from experience beyond your own. Whether in your career or life, having a mentor is crucial to all of our continued growth and development.
Who can be a mentor
A mentor is someone whose life or work you value and appreciate, and who you believe would be an excellent guide. A mentor may be of any age and in any sector these days, therefore we advise you not to think of a mentor in conventional terms. Too frequently, we limit our mentors to individuals in positions of authority.
Mentors are persons who can help you with your personal and professional growth by providing you with direction, advice, support, and information.
Importance of Mentors for your Career
Having a mentor can help you in developing useful extra-role skills and build key relationships; being a part of a mentoring relationship can be transformational for early career professionals. Saving you time and the cost of learning through trial and error.
- You gain access to industry insights and expertise from someone in a later stage of their career
- You have someone to help channel your ambition into actionable steps
- You get someone to help you market yourself by building a strong resume or a personal brand
- being helped to identify and correct gaps in generic skills and knowledge
- Increasing your confidence
- Developing and maintaining a broader perspective on career options and opportunities
- Having access to a senior role model
What are the qualities of a good mentor?
There are several characteristics that you need to have to be a good mentor. These include:
- Motivation
- Communication skills
- Enjoy learning
- Team player
- Committed
- Positive attitude
