My next challenge is for you to find
yourself a mentor. The ideal person would be someone who has already achieved a
high degree of success in your field. Don’t be afraid to ask. You’ve got nothing to
lose. In addition to mentors, take time
to study autobiographies of great leaders that you admire. Learn everything you
can from their lives and model some of their successful behaviours.
Over the years I have identified a couple of mentors that have
helped and guided me through my academic career. They have been able to support me
and more importantly I have been able to learn from them and to model their
positive leadership practices and behaviours.
It has been a developmental
partnership through which my mentors have shared their leadership knowledge,
skills, information and perspective to foster my personal and professional
growth in my role as a Senior Lecturer.
I think we all have a need for insight that
is outside of our normal life and educational experience. The power of
mentoring has created a number of opportunities for me to collaborate and problem-solve. Mentors rely upon having had similar experiences to
gain an empathy with the mentee and an understanding of their issues. Mentoring
will provide you with an opportunity to think about your leadership career options and
progression.
Finding
a Mentor
Finding a good mentor can often be difficult, if not almost
impossible as good mentors are normally very good at their work, thus they
already have high demands for their skills and time, which means they might be
reluctant to take on anyone new.
To increase your chances, it helps to be specific about
what you want from a mentor. The more certain you are about your needs, the
more likely you will find a mentor to meet those needs. So my advice is not to
ask “will
you be my mentor” but rather ask targeted questions like:
“Dorothy, if you have some time available soon, could you
explain to me why you are successful at leading your small business”
or,
“Tim, if you have some spare time, could
you explain the actual skills I need to become a better leader?”
Most people, especially those with the instinct to be a mentor,
will respond positively to such requests, in addition, they have probably
learned from others, thus will encourage and support others who want to learn
from them. And if so, then ask another question. This might or might not lead
to having that person become your full-time mentor, but in any case, it will
increase your knowledge and skills. Some people might only give a two-minute
lecture, but they should be impressed with your curiosity, even if they do not
say so.
Since the first time Janette discussed with as about the importance of having a mentor I started searching for a mentor. I come with a discussion to ask my boss if she wouldn't mind to be my mentor. My reasons for this discussion was because i have worked with her for the past seven years, she knew my strength and my weakness. She is brilliant and well experience in what she does and I knew she will be good for my career progress. I know she is very busy so i wsas existed when she said yes. It has been great to have someone I can talk to about my career and ideas of where I want to be heading. So thank you Janette for asking as to look up and think about mentor.
ReplyDeleteJust as there is no one leadership style or skill that is apparent, I have no one mentor. Within my work environment there are three individuals I respect for certain strengths. Equally they have different weaknesses that I do not wish to inherit. I’ve already had the three of them as mentors for about two years but there are only certain aspects they individually mentor me on. They are all well aware I have no interest in their weaknesses, which have been highlighted to them recently during a swap of SWOT analysis. Each of them, where appropriate will encourage, support and give advice or direction. We all work in a stressful environment………just as they mentor me, they also benefit from my knowledge, strengths and direction. We are each improving and building on one and others strengths, it has always been a very good and successful trade off. We all benefit and the honesty we have with one another instils trust and respect.
ReplyDeleteI found a chinese proverb to go with my previous comment. "Listen to all, pluck a feather from every passing goose, but follow no one absolutely".
ReplyDeleteYou can have as many mentors as you can manage just think about what they bring to YOUR table.
ReplyDeleteIn business and life i have always been very close to my father who has always been a mentor to me. He was in the same business im in when he was my age and was very successfull. i feel now that i need a mentor with a different stlye in order to develop more as a business person. i have learnt alot from my dad but its time to move on.
ReplyDeletei have already approached 2 people who are willing to mentor me ( and it wasnt as hard to ask as i thought), this blog gave me the impetus to do so...so thanks janette
ReplyDelete