4 characteristics of a great mentor
If you are looking for personal growth, the most effective way to develop personally and professionally is to find a mentor.
A mentor's value cannot be underestimated because they are located at points in your career where you want to be long-term. They provide you with a sense of long-term goals and assist you in visualizing what the future could hold for you.
Imagine a mentor as a coach. They are there to help you develop and achieve your long-term career goals. They have extensive experience and knowledge about the desired career path and volunteer their time to lead others.
It can be beneficial to invest heavily in your relationship with a mentor, though it may be tough to locate an excellent mentor since they come in numerous different shapes (in terms of both profession and personality), and mentors are frequently individuals with whom you don't regularly engage (such as a much older colleague).
The following should be met by your mentor primarily:
Honest and constructive feedback
Good mentors will always tell you when you're doing something well - and when, and how, you need to improve. constructive feedback is the key to effective development, as this really helps learning and growth. You'll learn more from your mistakes than from your successes. It's important to identify a mentor who conveys feedback to you in a constructive way. They need a consistent, reliable source to find out where you can improve - and most importantly, how you can improve next time.
They motivate you to do your best possible work
A mentor is someone you look up to. They not only motivate you to work harder but also invest time and attention into your work, which ultimately makes you successful.
They are highly qualified in their fields
Your mentors should be able to show a track record of success. You can look at their LinkedIn profile and be inspired by their career and growth. You should expect a great mentor to share his knowledge and stories with you if you ask him about it later.
They want to see you reach your career goals
Your mentors should also be your biggest fans. They are the ones who cheer you on from the sidelines as you focus on and achieve your career goals.
When you share your progress with them, you will be able to feel that they have a genuine interest in helping you.
Mentoring-relationships are long-lasting. You never know when your paths will cross again in the future.
Once you achieve your career goals, your mentors are the ones you'll want to thank - and should thank!
