How to be Mentored

Currently I have two official mentors in my life. One is a mentor for achievement and life skills, the other is a mentor for me specifically on leadership. Both relationships have been extremely valuable in my growth as a leader.

In an effort to help young leaders who want the benefits of a mentoring relationship, I’ve put together a list of four things I believe will help people who want to be mentored:

1. Seek out a mentor – Make sure you find a mentor that fits well with who you want to become. In Mark Sanborn’s book, You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader he says, “Find role models worthy of your attention, those who lead their lives and organizations in the manner you aspire to lead, those who have made a difference to others as you would like to.” – Well said Mark!
2. Be teachable – Once you find the right mentor, you need to become teachable. Be aware that your mentor knows more than you, and he only wants to help you. Have a mindset where you are ready to learn and try new things.
3. Be vulnerable – Part of the mentoring process involves you receiving some self-criticism from your mentor. A great mentor will help to point our your weaknesses and offer his help to improve those weaknesses. It’s your job as a mentee to be vulnerable and open-minded to accept what he says.
4. Be a Doer – If your mentor suggests that you do something, make sure you do it. If he recommends a book, go buy it and read it as soon as possible. If he asks you to do something for him, do it for him without complaining. Make sure you take action on this advice, because if you don’t take action he will stopping giving advice to you.

Mentors often can help us get where we want to go faster because they have already been there. They have their map for success that will help us in our journey.

To learn more on mentoring, take a look at my post, Who Needs a Mentor?

Comments

[Roger Carr]

Christopher, You are right on target. Seeking out and listening to mentors has been important in my life. But when I have acted on the advice, I have made tremendous leaps forward.

[Christopher Scott]

Roger-

Thanks for adding to the discussion.

I agree that mentors are great, and as you said they only add value to our lives when we take action on what they say.

Keep up the great work!
Christopher S.