From the year 2007 till now, the year 2016, I have seen my career growth. I have had falls where I looked for help and found mentors to help me during my journey. Then came the turn in my career which led me towards becoming a mentor. I learned few things during this transition which has not completed yet.
Spend time knowing each other
Unless you met your mentee long back and you have been working with her for a while now, spend some time knowing why she is seeking a mentor. To be a good mentor, one thing which we must have is an ear to listen. As human when we reach a certain position from where you can shout out your accomplishments, we do exactly same when we meet someone new. In fact, when someone is seeking for advice, we tend to give advice, irrespective of the notion whether it is relevant to her or not.
To be a good mentor one also needs:
- A sincere desire to be involved
- Respect towards the person you are working with
- Active Listening Skills
- Empathy
- Ability to see growth opportunities
- Flexibility
Being a mentor is fun. Not just for you but also for someone else. As a mentor you helping in changing the world for someone else. While the other person is learning, you are learning at the same time.
So, you are looking to become a mentor? That’s an awesome decision and great opportunity to transform someone’s world as well as yours. Remember, it is a journey, not a destination.