- Enoch Oyedibu
- Mentorship
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the shoulders of whom one climbs matters. How does one make the right person a mentor, then?
When Newton said, all his geniuses were the results of him climbing the shoulders of those ahead of him, he knew then that mentorship is germane to success. But who mentors a potentially great person, matters i.e. the shoulders of whom one climbs matters. How does one make the right person a mentor, then? This is why this guide is important.
If anyone is ever looking for a value-driven mentor, one better way to start is by finding a mentor one can flow with. Someone who shares the same values and has the experience to mentor in line with the direction one is looking forward to.
However, before one asks for their guidance, there is the need to demonstrate how much one can help them too. What one has to offer, in terms of value, will kickstart the whole process? It’s unarguably, humans are interdependent and no mentors would love to mentor a mentee that’s unproductive. A prospective mentee’s levels of value determine the magnetic attraction of a value-packed mentor to his/her life. This is why it is quite important to turn oneself into a mentor’s favourite that will magnetize mentors and make them interested in one’s mentorship.
Here are five simple ways to turn oneself into a magnetic force that compels mentors to get attracted to all walks of life.
Be Open to Feedback and Listen
Mentorship is a stage of pruning and one can never get enough of it. Listening is the only key to taking anything out of it. Weed grows every day, so our perception gets corrupted. A mentor has the responsibility to correct the perception, knowing that that’s the beginning of every success or failure. This is the stage of pruning and such a stage comes with a lot of feedback. Keep them. Cherish them. Don’t shy away or run from them. As Stephen Corey said, “Our ignorance is the first step to our learning.” Declare ignorance and embrace learning through feedback.
Set Clear Goals
At the beginning of the mentoring relationship, have a career outline. Have aspirations, such as aiming for a leadership position within three years. Work with the chosen mentor to create a roadmap with specific milestones, like completing a relevant certification or leading a project. Remain consistent.
Be Proactive
Instead of waiting for one’s mentor to suggest networking opportunities, identify relevant industry events and ask the mentor for their opinions on which ones would be most beneficial. Don’t be afraid to ask for an introduction to anyone they think would be beneficial to meet. This shows one’s initiative to grow one’s network thoughtfully.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset
In one’s process of growth, encountering an obstacle, such as not getting a promotion, is constant. However, discuss what can be learnt from such experience, bank on the mentor’s experience and learn how to improve for future circumstances.
Show Appreciation
It was in Laws of Attraction that the author stated that “gratitude is the way of attracting more to oneself.” This is not far-fetched in mentorship. A mentee’s level of gratitude is one sure way of compelling the mentor to dip their hands into their pocket of wisdom, and then, give it out without thinking twice. For each mentoring session, one can send a follow-up email thanking the mentor for their time and summarizing the key points discussed. Also, highlights the points that resonate well and informs on what would be done on the points learnt.
Read Also: 6 Proven Laws of Success In Hardy’s Compound Effect
Enoch Oyedibu
I am a writer and investigative journalist who specialises in literary criticism and underrepresented narratives. Among other publications, I have been featured in Business Day Nigeria, TheICIR, Platform Times and Daily Nigerian. Right now, I work as a full-time staff writer for Unconventional Magazine.
