I hope you enjoyed the first half of the article Mentoring Tips – Because We All Need a Good Mentor. As promised here is the second half of the article:
The relationship therefore must be based on mutual trust and open communication.
2. Mentoring is about communication
In order for your mentor to be able to guide and advise you, he or she must know what you are thinking, what your concerns are and what obstacles you may be facing. Honest, open communication is vital to any good relationship, and mentoring is no different.
3. Mentoring is about accepting help
People are often reluctant to accept advice from others. As a child you were encouraged to be independent, to do things and solve your problems yourself. Now you’re all grown up, you’ve got to accept help again! Often, people don’t want to accept help because they think it will be seen as a sign of weakness or lack of capability. Your mentor wants to help you – and they have the experience to know when you need it, so let them do what they are supposed to do.
4. You will be challenged
A good mentor will challenge you to extend yourself beyond your comfort zone. This will be uncomfortable for you, and even a little scary, and you may resent being pushed. However, rising to the challenge allows you to grow, develop and learn.
5. Be willing to learn
Accepting that you do have things to learn, about life, people, the job or the industry, will help you to accept the guidance offered by your mentor. As you learn, you will develop the confidence and skills you need to accept the new responsibilities. After all, if you knew it all already, you’d be the mentor!
6. Mentors come from all walks of life
Workplace mentors, and personal mentors in particular, may be people that you did not realize had so much to contribute to your development as a human being. Many personal mentors start out as friends, because friendship builds the trust required in order for you to confide in someone and take their advice. Life lessons can be learnt from the homeless man in the park, if you just stop and listen.
Having a good mentor can guide you through many areas of your life. Every change in your life, whether personal or work related, demands new skills, new knowledge or new experience from you. Whether you’re getting married, having a baby, starting a new job or opening your own business, advice from people you trust, whose knowledge and experience is greater than yours, can only be of benefit to you!
Fri, Dec 11, 2009
Personal Development