105: How to Find a Mentor
Coaching for Leaders9 Sep 2013

105: How to Find a Mentor

In Greek mythology, Mentor was a friend of Odysseus and was placed in charge of his son Telemachus when Odysseus left for war.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary calls a mentor, “A trusted counselor or guide.”

What do you want to get from mentoring?

  • Probably what you aren’t good at (or at least not yet)
  • Plus, it’s something that’s important for you to get better at

Advance planning

  • Who do you know who’s good at that?
  • Are there multiple people?
  • You don’t have to know them today
  • Your greatest mentors will never expect anything
  • Identify specifically how someone can help and begin there
  • Make a mind map of the people who could help
  • Create a board of directors

Getting Started

  • Start off with a specific question
  • Know that not everyone will respond or won’t be willing to help
  • Wait on asking someone to “be a mentor”
    • Everyone has a different context for this
    • It could seem like a huge commitment
    • It’s awkward if they don’t want to make that committment

Find a way to connect regularly

  • This is where proximity and formal programs can help
  • Make a point to connect regularly
  • It’s great to be influenced by those that you don’t speak with regularly, but find people you will see

Be willing to ask for help

  • Get out of the “asking for help is a weakness” mentality

What’s something in front of you right now that a new perspective would be helpful with? My challenge to you is to go out and identify a person and approach them with a specific question and ask advice. Remember, you don’t have to take the advice. If they don’t respond, identify a second person.

Past shows that might also be helpful to you on the topic of mentoring:

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