Wondering about employing a mentor and how to get the best out of them? Colin Thompson, managing partner at Cavendish academy and long time mentor, explains how to do just that.
1. Spend time together
While this may seem painfully obvious, you
aren’t going to get much out of your mentor
if you do not see her/him. Make sure you
have meetings on the calendar – at minimum
an hour a month – and commit to them.
If you and your mentor have a hard time
coordinating schedules, make sure you plan
three meetings ahead.
When you do meet, ensure you are in the
right mindset to have a proper discussion.
You need an open mind and be prepared to
take new ideas on board. You also need to
have thought about points for consideration
and be willing to agree necessary
changes and a timeframe for them to be
implemented.
2. Articulate your goals
Mentors can only help you if your goals
and strategies are known to them. Spend
time establishing longer term career goals
then establish with your mentor what your
near term objectives are for getting there.
When you’re at the point where you have
established mentoring objectives, pull them
out regularly and keep checking how you are
progressing.
3. Be meeting ready
Do not expect your mentor to do all of the
work. When it comes to mentor meetings be
prepared or you’ll waste time – and money!
Make sure you have an agenda. Review your
notes from the last meeting. Bring new items
to discuss (performance reviews, e-mail from
colleague, interesting article you’ve read, etc.).
Plus, address any agreed items as previously
discussed with you mentor.
4. Provide feedback
Your mentor will be much more effective if
he/she knows whether his/her mentoring
is proving effective for you. If your mentor
doesn’t listen enough or tells boring stories
that go nowhere, speak up. Do not waste
your time – or your mentor’s – if things aren’t
going how you would like. Similarly, if things
are going well, let your mentor know what is
working so you can build upon that.
5. Be seen in action
The better a mentor knows you, the better she/
he can work with you. Find opportunities for your
mentor to see you give a presentation, lead a
meeting, or participate in a team meeting. This will
give your mentor better insight into who you are, as
well as providing an opportunity for feedback. The
closer you both become develops the best results
and full benefits.
6. Observe your mentor
Some people are better showing you
how to do something than explaining
it. You can learn a lot by watching
your mentor in important situations as
well as everyday happenings. Sitting
in on a meeting they are holding for
instance might shed light on a part of
the organisation with which you were
unfamiliar
7. Turn the tables
While much of the focus will be on you,
your mentor should have career goals
too. Ask about them. You can learn a
lot about your mentor by discussing
her/his goals. In addition, your mentor’s
goals may give you new ideas for your
own career path. Listening and learning
new ideas are good for both.
8. Build your network
The most successful people usually
have more than one person to whom
they turn for advice. Ask your mentor
about people in his/her circle that you
might meet. While you may not find
others right away who would be good
mentors for you, you will be laying
the groundwork for possible future
relationships while building your own
social capital. Experienced and skilled
successful people who are willing to
help you become more successful can
bring great benefits to you and your
business.
9. Get advice
Mentors can offer valuable insight into
what it takes to get ahead. They can be
your guide and sounding board for ideas,
helping you decide on the best course
of action in difficult situations. You may
learn shortcuts that help you work more
effectively and avoid you reinventing the
wheel.
10. How can I help you?
This is a killer question that catches most
mentors off guard. Most mentees are only
concerned about what they can take from a
mentor. When you communicate that you are
genuinely willing to give, you will set yourself
miles apart from everyone else. Who doesn’t like
a win/win relationship?
Having a person who is willing to be your
mentor is a tremendous resource. Make sure
you are not using your mentor to duplicate
advice you already get from others – always
focusing on current issues. Use your mentor’s
experience and wisdom for those big picture
questions and goals that you have. And give it
enough time for it to work.
