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Feb 27, 2017 · Learn how to be a good mentor with four common principles: relationship, character, optimism, and loyalty. The best mentors help their mentees become fuller versions of themselves, not just better at their jobs.
Aug 25, 2020 · Learn how to be a fuel-efficient mentor who conserves energy and benefits mentees. The authors offer tips on setting boundaries, time budgets, meeting structures, and virtual and group mentoring.
Jan 5, 2022 · Learn how to identify and connect with a mentor who can help you grow and learn in your career and life. Discover the benefits of mentorships for both parties and the steps to build a successful relationship.
- Overview
- What is a mentor?
- What do mentors do?
- Types of mentors
- Qualities of a successful mentee
- Qualities of an effective mentor
- The benefits of mentoring
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Many young or less experienced professionals seek relationships with mentors. A mentor can provide their mentee with personalized advice or guidance and help them determine which opportunities to pursue to advance their career. Whether you're interested in finding a mentor, becoming a mentor or starting a mentorship program, it can be useful to know more about the types, benefits and traits of both mentors and mentees.In this article, we discuss what a mentor is, explain what they do and explore the qualities of both mentors and mentees.
A mentor is an individual who acts as an adviser or coach for a less experienced or advanced mentee, providing expertise and professional knowledge from a more experienced perspective. At the core of the relationship, a mentor is available to their mentee to offer advice, provide support and answer questions. Mentors protect the interests of their ...
Mentors can help their mentees in a variety of ways. They can provide concrete benefits by serving as a reference or sending a mentee's resume to companies where they'd like to start a career. A mentor can also offer their mentee valuable professional advice, such as ways to advance in their career, how to improve their resume and practice for inte...
Peer mentors
Peer mentors are professional colleagues who offer advice. For example, a peer mentor may share their mentee's role when that mentee starts at a new company and can help teach that mentee about the job. Over time, peer mentors might help inform their mentees about job openings or offer guidance about the company culture. Peer mentors tend to check in frequently and often interact in both formal meetings or in social settings, like lunch or happy hour.Related: 13 Virtual Mentorship Pros and Cons To Consider
Career mentors
Career mentors tend to be in a higher position than their mentees and serve as career advocates and guides. Career mentors can help their mentees understand how their current roles could progress. While career mentors are sometimes their mentee's managers, they can also be based in a different department of the company. Career mentors check in with their mentees on a less frequent basis than peer mentors.Related: 24 Reasons Why Mentorship Is Important for Mentee and Mentor
Life mentors
Life mentors are usually at the senior stages of a career and may work within or outside of the mentee's current company. Life mentors can offer advice during difficult career decisions, such as helping mentees decide to leave a job or change careers to find a new position. They can also be a valuable source of confidential and unbiased information.Related: 100 Strategic Questions To Ask Your Mentor
Each mentor-mentee relationship might vary depending on the individuals involved, their goals and their expectations. In general, here are some qualities of a good mentee:
•Engagement: One of the best ways to be a good mentee is to show genuine interest in a mentor. This might involve asking the mentor about their career and how they advanced to their current role.
•Active participation: A good mentee usually makes an effort to follow their mentor's advice. This demonstrates that the mentee values their mentorship and takes their career goals seriously.
•Open-minded: Mentees are open to observations from their mentor, including both positive feedback and constructive criticism. Getting honest feedback from a more advanced professional can help mentees identify their strengths and focus on developing their weaknesses.
Following are some traits that comprise a good mentor:
•Compatibility: It can be helpful if mentors and mentees genuinely connect as individuals. Signs of compatibility might include shared interests and core values.
•Honesty: Ideally, mentees can trust their mentors with confidential information. For example, a mentee considering a career change trusts that their mentor understands how to keep this information private until the mentee makes and announces their decision publicly.
•Expertise: Mentors typically have more experience in the field than their mentees. While mentors don't always possess advanced job titles or lots of years in the industry, they do have the skills and experience necessary to offer advice to their mentees.
•Active listening: A mentor understands how to listen first and then respond. This can help them focus on the needs and goals of their mentee.
•Amiable: Good mentors take the time to get to know their mentees. This might involve asking their mentees questions about their background, aspirations or how they enjoy spending their time.
While mentees benefit most obviously from mentorship, the relationship can bring personal and professional value to mentors as well. Serving as a mentor can improve a mentor's professional networks, reinforce their skills and knowledge and offer a sense of fulfillment. Being a mentor might also connect that mentor with new information or trends within their industry.
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Learn what a mentor is, how they can help their mentees and what traits they should have. Explore the different types of mentors, such as peer, career and life mentors, and their advantages.
- The master of craft. “If you know you want to be the best in your field — whether it’s the greatest editor, football quarterback, entrepreneur — ask, Who are the most iconic figures in that area?”
- The champion of your cause. This mentor is someone who will talk you up to others, and it’s important to have one of these in your current workplace, says Tjan: “These are people who are advocates and who have your back.”
- The copilot. Another name for this type: Your best work bud. The copilot is the colleague who can talk you through projects, advise you in navigating the personalities at your company, and listen to you vent over coffee.
- The anchor. This person doesn’t have to work in your industry — in fact, it could be a friend or family member. While your champion supports you to achieve specific career goals, your anchor is a confidante and a sounding board.
Jul 17, 2023 · Learn how mentoring can help you achieve your career goals, increase your satisfaction, and expand your network. Find out how mentors can also benefit from mentoring relationships and improve their leadership skills.
MENTOR is a national organization that promotes quality mentoring relationships for young people. Learn how to get involved, access resources, and support their campaigns and advocacy efforts.
