Here are a few tips for finding a mentor and establishing a meaningful relationship with him:
- Know your need: You may find many companies having formal mentoring programs that bring together junior employees and the more experienced co-workers. If your company has such an arrangement, take advantage of it.
Don’t worry even if there is no such program in place in your organization. On your own, you can develop mentor relationship with a senior colleague and seek his guidance on your career. Generally people are flattered when they are approached for such guidance and many a time they go out of their way to help you. You can choose for that matter anybody and you needn’t limit your choice to your field.
- Your must go for a teacher: Just a talented person will not be of much use. You need someone who has both talent and coaching abilities. The person whom you choose must be ready to spend time with you. Remember, a mentor should be honest and generous in giving advice then only you will be able to develop skills.
If your personalities don’t suit each other, the relationship won’t survive.
- Committed: You must decide what you want from your mentor and what you hope to accomplish. Indentify the area of your career you want to improve. If you are not clear about the mentoring you won’t get much out of it. You must have regular meetings. Fixing the timing and periodicity, may be once a week, over breakfast, will result in committed bonding.
Many prefer their mentor to take charge, but it is important for you to take on the responsibility for the process.
- Respect mentor’s time: It is absolutely necessary to observe certain basic etiquette. Be punctual for meetings. Keep one thing in mind that you can reach out to your mentor between formal meetings, but don’t regularly call or e-mail him. If your mentor gives an assignment or challenges you to reach a goal, you must follow up with the person about your progress. After a particular coaching session you should send your mentor a thank-you note.
- A long-term arrangement: It is important to give some time for your relationship to develop. If your first few meetings are not up to your expectations, it doesn’t mean the relationship won’t last long. The long-term benefits will be significant. If you allow the relationship to grow, you will achieve your professional goals.