MENTORING

HISTORY THE WORD COMES FROM HOMER’S ODYESSY WHEREIN THE KING OF ITHACA WENT OFF TO FIGHT IN THE TROJAN WAR AND LEFT HIS TRUSTED FRIEND,MENTOR,TO TEACH AND GUIDE HIS SON AND TO OVERSEE HIS KINGDOM.

MENTOR: A DEFINITION A TRUSTED COUNSELOR OR GUIDE; A WISE AND LOYAL ADVISOR OR COACH A MENTOR IS TYPICALLY A MORE EXPERIENCED, OFTEN OLDER PERSON WHO HELPS AND GUIDES ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL’S DVELOPMENT. MENTORING IS A SERIOUS UNDERTAKING BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE ASSETS YOU CAN HAVE FOR YOUR CAREER

WHERE CAN MENTORS BE FOUND? WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION RETIRED BUSINESS PERSONS PROFESSIONAL OR TRADE ORGANIZATIONS INTEREST OR SUPPORT GROUPS RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS

MAKING YOUR CASE FOR MENTORING CREATE A LIST OF SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE AROUND THOSE COMPETENCY SKILLS WHAT ARE THE BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCCESS IN ACHIEVING THOSE SKILLS WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS? IMPROVE IN CURRENT ROLE,NEW POSITION,PROMOTION POTENTIAL

SELECTING A MENTOR CREATE A LIST OF PROSPECTIVE MENTORS RESPECTED IN THEIR POSITION WILL PROVIDE CLEAR AND HONEST FEEDBACK IS NOT A FRIEND

SELECTING A MENTOR CHOOSE THE TOP 2 OR 3 PROSPECTS CALL TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST MEETING STATE WHY YOU PICKED THE CANDIDATE TALK ABOUT THE HELP YOU ARE REQUESTING AGREE UPON A SCHEDULE FOR MEETINGS BE SENSITIVE TO THEIR ABILTY TO PROVIDE THE TIME COMMITMENT

ADDITIONAL TIPS TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR YOUR SUCCESS BE WILLING TO ACCEPT HONEST FEEDBACK BE PROMPT TO THE MEETINGS ASK QUESTIONS, LISTEN, TAKE GOOD NOTES INCLUDE WORK LIFE BALANCE ISSUES DISCUSS POSSIBLE CONFLICTS UPDATE YOUR PROGRESS IN SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS THANK THEM FOR THEIR TIME AND ADVICE