If you choose the appropriate mentor, he or she may be able to assist you in improving your professional image, work habits and even changing your career path. Lois J. Zachary, the author of The Mentee's Guide and a mentor, explains the benefits and drawbacks of mentoring.
Steps to Mentorship
Having a pool of alternatives is, of course, the first step. Zachary advises that you maintain your network and keep in touch at all times.
The answer to what qualities your ideal mentor should have depended on your requirements, ambitions, and the availability of your prospective mentor.
Set objectives and ground rules early on to guarantee a successful mentoring (or, at the very least, a meaningful closure and a recommendation), according to Zachary: "Talk about your various approaches early on," and be open about both of your requirements.
Zachary stresses the collaborative nature of the relationship and that your part should be active.
Zachary suggests that setting sensible, measurable goals, such as developing your leadership abilities, allows you to track your progress and gives your time with your mentor a shape.
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Communicating Effectively
An effective mentoring relationship, according to Zachary, necessitates constant communication and feedback. Knowing each other before embarking on formal mentoring will improve your professional encounters by better understanding your different communication styles.
No matter how smart or experienced, your mentor won't be able to figure out your professional objectives or difficulty spots if you don't provide him or her with any information. So be as precise and descriptive as possible.
When you begin a mentoring relationship, it's a good idea to expect you'll have challenges and be prepared to deal with them. If you talk about the likelihood of disputes, it will make them less painful if they occur.
When you feel like your meetings are winding down, Zachary suggests referring to your progress. Even if the mentoring is a flop, you should never let a relationship die on its own. "In the closing discussion," Zachary explains, "you evaluate what you learned and talk about it."
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