The Importance of A Mentor
The phrase "finding a mentor" is
a bit misleading. It’s not a protégé’s
place to find a mentor. Instead, you place yourself
in a position for a mentor to find and advise
you. But before a mentor can "discover" you,
he or she first has to know you exist and be
aware -- and convinced -- of your professional
potential. So how do you go about ensuring that
the right people know who you are and what you’re
capable of? The following seven points will help
you get started:
-
Be Productive. Earn a
reputation as a person who gets results.
But don't just be a doer. Be a visible
doer. Work hard and smart.
-
Be Professional. Always
maintain an air of professionalism, regardless
of what others do. Operate
by the Golden Rule and treat others the
way you want to be treated; the spirit
of reciprocity goes a long way in a person’s
professional development.
Be Progressive. Take the
initiative. Seek meaningful and visible assignments. More
importantly, look for ways to do a job better. Volunteer
for projects and committees. Look for ways to cut costs.
-
Be Positive. Especially
during stressful times. True professionals
take responsibility for their successes
and failures -- and they're the ones
who get the attention of their superiors.
-
Be Personable. Gaining
contacts is the name of the game. Anyone
you meet could potentially
have good contacts and that person
may know your future mentor. So take
the risk and introduce yourself, and
remember to smile.
-
Be Prudent. It takes insight
and perception to make sure you’re in
the right places with the right people
at the right time. It also takes discernment
to know when to speak up and when to
hold your peace. Senior-level executives
respect young professionals who exercise
prudence in the decisions they make and
in the alliances they form.
-
Be Patient and Persistent. More
often than not, a mentor and protégé gravitate toward
each other over time. Although it may
seem like no one notices your efforts
and accomplishments, don’t give
up. Continue to follow the previously
mentioned tips. If done correctly
and consistently, it will only be a matter
of time before you gain the attention
of a possible mentor and develop a relationship
with him or her. Then the two of you
can begin work on moving your career
to the next level.
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