Mentorship, when done well, can play a significant role in career advancement and learning new skills that will help you succeed to the best of your abilities. Whether you are the mentor or mentee, mentorship can be an extremely valuable experience for both participants as it teaches coaching skills, work-related techniques, and personal development.
Many believe there is only one right way in which to mentor someone and that could not be further from the truth. Every person coaches differently, and every person learns differently, and these varied methods make learning more effective for that person. Once you’ve found the right mentor for you, consider these pieces of advice to get the most out of your mentorship.
Create a Collaborative Atmosphere
While a mentor-mentee relationship can seem like a boss-employee situation, the mentorship should be about collaboration and an exchange of ideas. The mentee is there to learn from the mentor. However, the mentee always has something to contribute. The relationship should be open and trusting to share new ideas and methods so both participants can improve.
Establish Priorities and Goals
What do you want to get out of the mentorship? A new skill? A bigger network? Knowing your goals and prioritizing the work you will be doing to get yourself one step closer to where you want to be is crucial. Only you know where you want your career to lead. To do that, make sure you take some control to create a program or schedule that is as beneficial to you as possible.
Thrive on Learning Opportunities
Even if you’ve done a task or training several times, never miss an opportunity to learn something new or a new way of doing the same thing. Everyone has something valid to teach another, and it is respectful to take the time to learn and possibly contribute ideas of your own. You will quickly learn your weaknesses and how to improve upon them. Learning from a mentor can give insight into how the business is run on a day to day basis which makes it easier to fulfill your tasks effectively. Also, every learning experience is an opportunity to develop your career and make you more competitive in the job market.
Don’t Limit Yourself to One Mentor or Activity
By establishing goals and evaluating your weaknesses, you can determine whether or not one mentor will be sufficient to reach your goals. Choose mentors that will help you hone your skills and allow you to learn new methods that align with your career or personal goals. Try to practice many different work-related activities as well to determine where you fit best.
Be Fully Present
How much you learn, how well you learn, and how you apply those new skills depend entirely on the commitment levels of both the mentor and mentee. Stay committed to your goals and keep your mentor on point as well with weekly check-ins or scheduled meetings. Use the mentorship as an opportunity you might not get again and run with it to your fullest potential.
How To Get What You Need From Your Mentor
