As I continue to reflect on the way life has changed and the way we are talking and thinking about what the future may bring for all of us, there are many aspects of our life that may change, but our values and principles remain the same.
Mentoring is one of the aspects of your life that you should continue or if you do not have a mentor take steps to find one.
In unprecedented times where first-hand experience is limited you need to express and expand your thinking and approach. Having someone who is independent and trusted to share and seek advice and guidance where needed is an ideal way to do this.
Mentors are also a terrific way in which to secure and build your confidence throughout your life. It is good to know that there is someone outside your family and friends who is watching out for you, helping you avoid stepping on landmines or giving you a hand up the career ladder or business escalator.
Great mentors will identify the areas for you to focus and bring a balance and sensibility to ideas, directions, and options you have in your chosen field and life generally. They will often have a different view to you and may well challenge yours. It is your role to engage with this, form your own opinion and decision and then move forward with intent and confidence.
I was and am very fortunate to have some amazing mentors in my life that have guided me in so many aspects whether it be business, family, sport, charitable, the list goes on. They are all people that have been there and done that! Their experience is a vital source of knowledge.
However, today it is more than ever that we are all challenged, so the combination of younger mentors and more mature mentors brings a different dynamic that provides more in-depth and relevant inputs.
The dynamics of the mentoring relationship
The mentor relationship is a two way – both must gain benefit and satisfaction from interacting and working with each other. If you do not then you are either not placing enough importance on the relationship or you are not suited. It is important to get it right in the beginning.
My longest mentoring relationship was for over 30 years and was my athletic coach who, in time, became more of a life coach and friend guiding and shepherding me on many issues which in the end I had to decide and determine. He helped build up my confidence and self-esteem. My other mentors were in business and gave me great advice and direction, much of the advice I took notice of, however, in the end you must make your own decisions and take your own actions.
Mentors need to be provided with the appropriate information and need to feel that they are contributing to your wellbeing and development. If you are not cognizant of this important fact, then you have misunderstood mentoring and the relationship will not last.
Mentoring relationships have no finite time. You may have a mentor that works well for a period of time, but as your life and development progresses you need to find another mentor who can assist you with your next stage of your life/career. For example, you might move to a different industry and change career, the mentor relationship you had built up may not work as it had in the past. This is not to say there was a problem, it is just a fact and you need to think about a new mentor who can give you the right guidance.
Mentoring during Covid-19
In today’s environment we all could do with interacting with someone who can shed light on the current environment and future trends. And if you are changing jobs, in transition or just looking for a new role, it pays to find someone who you can confide in who has the relevant experience and expertise, ideally in an area you are in or wish to be involved, to share their knowledge, experience, expertise and networks.
In my book Brand New Brand You I provide a suite of options, ideas and techniques that will help you to become more relevant and at the same time prepare you to have a good conversation with a mentor. Of course, you must identify a mentor and I also cover this in my book. Sometimes asking a person who you admire can be the starting point and if they are too busy, they can often recommend someone else. Age and experience are factors to consider but there is nothing wrong with having a mentor that is younger than you. While a mentoring relationship is primarily about what you will gain in terms of insights to set you up for your journey in life, it’s important that your mentor derives benefits from the engagement as well.
Once you have identified a mentor you are on your way and you can start thinking more proactively about identifying and actioning what your ‘new brand you’ will look like in the marketplace of the future.
