A mentor is an experienced and trusted advisor who you can turn to for help with business concerns. They can provide help with exploring careers, setting goals, developing contacts, and identifying resources. Being a successful mentor takes certain qualities:
Be Willing to Share Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise
A good mentor is willing to teach what she has learned and share her relevant expertise. It is an asset to have a lot of knowledge, but as a mentor, you must be willing to share it with your mentee.
Be Honest and Provide Constructive Feedback
As a mentor, being honest with your mentee is very important. Keeping a positive attitude when giving feedback can help a mentor avoid discouraging the mentee. To ensure a positive mentoring experience, feedback should be constructive, as well as suggestions on how the mentee can improve.
Be Willing to Learn
While mentors have more experience and expertise than their mentees, a successful mentor knows they have just as much to learn from their mentee. They make a point to show that they are enthusiastic about doing so. Theresa Santoscoy, a mentor with P.O.W.E.R, believes and uses the 20/80 conversation rule; meaning 20% of the time is talk and the other 80% is listening to the mentee. Santoscoy states, “Good mentors are in it for others to win it.”
Be a Positive Role Model
The best mentors demonstrate what it takes to be productive and successful in their fields. By showing the specific behaviors and actions needed to advance, the mentor is helping the mentee develop in their area of expertise so they too can flourish.
A mentor relationship can help you gain new and unique perspectives you may not have previously considered. It is a great resource and can be life-changing when you have a mentor who believes in you and helps you with your journey possibly taking your career to a whole new level.