To be a mentor, you need to possess a variety of qualities, including good communication skills, patience, the ability to be non-judgmental and the knack of creating a strong rapport with someone – in addition to offering impeccable business expertise. You should also have total confidence in your own abilities if you wish to inspire confidence in others.
Usually unpaid, many mentors view the prospect as a chance to ‘give something back to society’, however, most people become a mentor because it creates a mutually beneficial relationship. Although the offer of guidance should not be made for personal gain, some mentors do find that the process furthers their own skills and that their superiors often view it extremely favourably.
Paid professional advisers
It is important not to confuse mentors with professional advisers. The majority of businesses need specialised help from qualified practitioners, particularly in fields such as law, tax and accounting. On occasion, business managers may find it better to employ a paid professional adviser for such areas and find general business advice and support from elsewhere.
Once you’ve found each other
Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, mentored the ancient Greek king, Alexander the Great, one of the most successful military commanders of all time. Aristotle himself was a student of Plato, who in turn was taught by Socrates.
The hard work and effort doesn’t stop once a mentor and apprentice have found each other. While some mentor meetings may simply be a one-off occurrence in which advice and wisdom is imparted, the majority of meetings indicate the start of a committed long-term relationship, often of six months or more, in which the two of you will dedicate time and effort to ensure the best results. Remember, you can always change your mentor depending on your situation at the time, or stop meetings if you feel it isn’t working out.
Once the relationship has started, important things to consider include determining how often and for how long the two of you will meet, what the best way to contact each other is – by email, phone or face-to-face – and how often contact can be made between mentor meetings. By establishing points such as these early on, you are less likely to bother your mentor at the wrong times and a mentee is less likely to feel smothered or, conversely, neglected.
How to get involved in mentoring:
So follow in the footsteps of the iconic figures of past and present and join in this heroic practice – take a look at the suggestions below for inspiration and advice on how to get started:
Usually unpaid, many mentors view the prospect as a chance to ‘give something back to society’, however, most people become a mentor because it creates a mutually beneficial relationship. Although the offer of guidance should not be made for personal gain, some mentors do find that the process furthers their own skills and that their superiors often view it extremely favourably.
Paid professional advisers
It is important not to confuse mentors with professional advisers. The majority of businesses need specialised help from qualified practitioners, particularly in fields such as law, tax and accounting. On occasion, business managers may find it better to employ a paid professional adviser for such areas and find general business advice and support from elsewhere.
Once you’ve found each other
Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, mentored the ancient Greek king, Alexander the Great, one of the most successful military commanders of all time. Aristotle himself was a student of Plato, who in turn was taught by Socrates.
The hard work and effort doesn’t stop once a mentor and apprentice have found each other. While some mentor meetings may simply be a one-off occurrence in which advice and wisdom is imparted, the majority of meetings indicate the start of a committed long-term relationship, often of six months or more, in which the two of you will dedicate time and effort to ensure the best results. Remember, you can always change your mentor depending on your situation at the time, or stop meetings if you feel it isn’t working out.
Once the relationship has started, important things to consider include determining how often and for how long the two of you will meet, what the best way to contact each other is – by email, phone or face-to-face – and how often contact can be made between mentor meetings. By establishing points such as these early on, you are less likely to bother your mentor at the wrong times and a mentee is less likely to feel smothered or, conversely, neglected.
How to get involved in mentoring:
So follow in the footsteps of the iconic figures of past and present and join in this heroic practice – take a look at the suggestions below for inspiration and advice on how to get started:
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