You will agree with me that one of the best ways to break into a chosen field or learn more about becoming an entrepreneur is to find someone that has gone before you and gained success at the same goal. This person has the ability to provide valuable advice and encouragement to you as a mentor. Choosing a mentor is not necessarily a difficult task, but it also shouldn’t be something you jump into without a plan.
When choosing a mentor, consider these few factors.
Willingness to mentor you
We believe this should be the most important factor to consider. Because, in order to teach anything as a mentor, that person must be willing to help. Just because someone has found success does not mean they will readily share it with you. Some people hoard information. Before asking someone to mentor you, get to know them a little bit first and see if they are open to talking about their successes. Find out if they have mentored anyone in the past. Get a feel for their personality, and make sure they want to share the information you need.
What do you need from a mentor?
Make sure you clearly define what you are looking for in the relationship between you and your mentor. This means you should have an idea of how much time you would like to spend and what activities you would like to partake in. Would you like to have time to ask them questions outside their professional setting? Or focus only on their professional life? These are the questions you should answer before committing to a specific person. It is important to make sure you are clear in your expectations so that you and your potential mentor are on the same page.
Identify the character of a good mentor
Not every successful one can pass as a mentor. There are key characteristics to look for in a mentor. The unifying factor with these characteristics is that they are all tied to positivity and objectivity. Some of the characters include empathy, consistency, patience, maturity, honesty, openness, accessibility, strength, the ability to be savvy, and effective communication. When you meet with them in person, see if you can spot these characteristics in action. Observe their body language to determine how those characteristics come across nonverbally. And finally, watch them in action at a conference or event or shadow them in their own organization to see how they work.
Consider if your values match with theirs.
Values are everything. Someone may be successful, but have an entirely different set of values compared to yours. It is important to make sure your values align with the person you are looking toward as a potential mentor. This is because finding someone with values similar to yours will lead to a better relationship. In order to do this, you must know what your values are. Write your values down and really consider them. Compromising your values could lead to unhappiness, so it is of utmost importance to make sure you know what they are and what they mean to you. If you believe in work/life balance, then someone who does not believe in it is not fit to be your mentor. If you believe in putting your family first, then someone who works 60+ hours a week might not be a great fit as your mentor. You will learn more and flow well with someone whose values mirror your own.
Consider personality
This looks similar to values, but very different. Personality is something you will want to consider when choosing a mentor. Because, if you are an introvert and your prospective mentor is the opposite, you might find yourself uncomfortable. It works the other ways round also. Sometimes, you might be looking for someone more extroverted so that you can emulate some of these qualities if that is what you want. So, personality is definitely something you will want to define for yourself before you seek out a mentor.
Consider their ability to communicate.
Not everyone knows how to communicate, because communication is a rare skill. Many people are very successful in their chosen field but might not be able to effectively convey what they have done to get there. You will want to make sure the person you have in mind is able to communicate in a manner that is easy for you to understand. Observe how they interact with other people. Do they convey their feelings or ideas with ease and tact? Do they communicate with others willingly? These are important attributes to look for not only because your mentor will be able to communicate with you effectively, but also because the interaction will help you become a better communicator yourself.
Finding a mentor that best fit you is a task that must be done, otherwise the whole idea of mentorship will be defeated if the wrong one is selected. Take time to map out your goals and what you want in a mentor, most of the work is already done. Follow the steps we have listed, and the process will be easy and effective.
My name is Chigozie Japhet. I am a content writer, and a brand strategist. I like writing, reading, researching and watching football, especially my team, Man United. i believe in working hard, and also in relaxation as all work without play, makes Chigozie a dull boy.
