3 Steps for Finding the Right Mentor
We ask our friends for advice about relationships, what to wear for a night out, their favorite healthy recipes, what mortgage lender to go with, and sometimes our businesses.
When it comes to entrepreneurism most of us want to soak in all of the information and tips that are being shared with us and make the right decision for our businesses. Though sometimes, an outsider may be better equipped to accompany you on your entrepreneurial journey.
They can have true unbiased opinions, have more experience in your particular field, or are a super savvy business person.
A great option is a mentor, though not to be confused with a business coach. Danielle A. Moneyham, National Director of Recruitment Operations at iMentor explains that “a mentor is a trusted advisor, someone who is able to provide support, guidance and encouragement during a transitional point in life or for a specific project/outcome, and is not a replacement parent, therapist, financial sponsor or teacher.”
Moneyham adds that “A business coach may have specific expertise and be able to support in achieving specific business-related goals.” She offers the analogy: A coach can help you run specific plays to win, a mentor is like a cheerleader, encouraging you along the way.
How do you find the ideal mentor for you? Here are three things to do:
Ask the right questions
Having the right person as your mentor is important. Before you commit and ask someone if they’re willing to be your mentor, Moneyham says to make sure you know what your goals are for the mentoring relationship.
Questions to consider asking include:
Have you ever mentored anyone before?
Do you have time in your schedule to commit to this?
Do you have, or ever had, your own mentor?
What different industries have you worked in and/or mentored in?
What are you hoping to get out of this experience?
Can you share any challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you overcame them?
In your opinion, what sets you apart from your peers as a mentor?
Look in unconventional places
A mentor doesn’t need to be someone you know, or even in your field of work, but Moneyham says “a mentor should be someone that you trust and are willing to build a relationship with as you navigate this stage of life.”
That may mean looking beyond your current rolodex. Attend networking events, join social media groups that are in a different industry than you, and even ask to be connected to a friend of a friend if you find them interesting!
“Search until you find the right mentor for you,” Moneyham says. She adds, “having a poor mentoring relationship is more harmful for the mentee than if they never had a mentor.”
Practice Your Own Open-mindedness
Oftentimes when we’re not ready to give up control of elements of our business or open up emotionally to someone, we go into conversations on the defense - immediately no one is good enough or the right fit.
Going into your mentor search, or exploratory call, with an open mind, and willingness to ask questions, and most importantly listen to the answers in their entirety before making a decision, can go a long way.
Moneyham says, “a mentor can be a life-long relationship, but it can also be an impactful short-term engagement as well. Mentoring is a two-way relationship, where both the mentee and mentor must show commitment and a willingness to listen and grow.”
She adds that “the mentee should drive the relationship, and should have specific goals/outcomes in mind when they begin the pursuit of a mentoring relationship. The mentor isn’t here to give all of the answers, but to help the mentee explore ideas and reach their own conclusions.”
You may just meet your next mentor at PRIMARY’s monthly happy hours or Member breakfasts. Check out our events calendar to discover more opportunities to network with your fellow coworkers.
Expert Featured:
Danielle A. Moneyham is the National Director of Recruitment Operations at iMentor. Follow iMentor on Instagram and LinkedIn, and visit their site at imentor.org.