What do you look for in a mentor?
Answers
Someone that:
- Is where I desire to be
- Has uncompromising integrity
- Is truly committed to helping me grow
- Will give criticism honestly, and me improve
- Continues to learn themselves
- Has mentors also
- Reads more than I do
- Can analyze all situations, then impact the analysis technique to me.
- Confident, yet humble
- Has goals for their future
As selfish as it sounds, when I look for a mentor, or even a person to follow on Twitter, or here on Proformative, I will look at who and how I can be benefited. How can John Doe/Jane Doe help me grow professionally? This even goes for what I read on websites such as
In order to grow professionally we have to be intentional.
In addition to the points Chris makes above, I would also seek someone who has experience, contacts and perspective that are different from mine. A fresh view and the willingness to share it can be truly helpful, as I have found.
I've been a mentor in the DePaul ASK program for several years now. I have developed some great relationships with some past mentee's that continue to this day through my approach. I am direct and honest with them, I don't try to "sugarcoat" anything - they have not all been in my exact field but I do my best to offer my straightforward advice for what advice I am not able to lend in their specific industry (but if I do know of someone in that industry, I will try and bring them into the relationship as well) or general
A mentor/mentee is a two way street. The mentor has something to offer and the mentee has something to offer. If you are looking for an older experienced person that will impart their knowledge and wisdom for purely self-less reasons, they are few and far between. Any relationship must be an equal give and take. One sided relationships are not long lasting relationships.
Find someone that highly values your contributions and develop a relationship with that person, if you feel they can teach you..
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I think "uncompromising integrity" is a key ingredient in a mentoring relationship. A lot of people can fool a whole lot of people a lot of the time, so character matters. One of the many reasons I love branding (authentic branding) ... you are who you say you are.
Great question, Alan!
I agree with the comments thus far. If I were seeking out a mentor, the one thing I would look for before going any further is wisdom. Wisdom tells me that this person has matured, experienced things and can provide good direction and advice to you. Secondly, integrity. This tells me that he/she values ethics and uses good business sense. Another, aspect is character and positivity. Your character helps to build not only yourself but others. Mentorship focuses two-ways on the mentee first and foremost then on the the mentor. Each can always learn and share from the other. Mentorship is a relationship that requires effort on both parts.
I am currently serving as a mentor to an individual and it has been a good, productive relationship for both of us.