How to Be a Great Mentor

A great mentor who is stable and successful can share valuable information with up-and-coming professionals in his industry. His presence can make all of the difference between a person attaining success and courting failure throughout a career.

Make a Personal Connection

It is difficult to get close to someone without forging a warmer bond. Every great mentor has the astounding ability to create genuine personal connections. Ask questions about the mentee's hobbies, interests, family and other subjects that are meaningful and be willing to share your own story to form an authentic relationship. Illustrate your examples with real-life accounts whenever possible. Remember to maintain confidentiality to build a trusting relationship with your mentees and protect their privacy.

Be an Honest Communicator

Offering honest feedback is important for being a great mentor. With your advice, individuals can pinpoint and improve their weaknesses and learn to emphasize their strengths. Clear, detailed feedback is a valuable resource that a mentee can use to become a better person and employee over time. Communicate in a straightforward manner to encourage understanding.

Answer Questions With Good Information

Allowing your mentees to ask you questions is extremely important if you want to be an effective mentor. A great mentor answers questions to the best of his ability, and he is not afraid to admit if he does not know something. If you do not know the answer, try to find someone who can answer your mentee’s question. Offer reputable information and other supplemental materials whenever possible to help your mentees remember key points that can help them later on in their careers.

Take Your Sessions Seriously

Although becoming a mentor is optional, it is a real responsibility that requires your commitment. Treat every session as an opportunity to impart knowledge and perspective to someone who considers you to be a role model. Focus on being in the moment, and pay attention to the verbal and nonverbal cues that your mentees use to communicate, so you can respond effectively.

Be Respectful

A great mentor who is respectful and makes people feel important can resonate better with them. It is important to treat your mentees with reverence to build a comfortable relationship without belittlement. Honor boundaries and establish expectations to create a balanced relationship with your mentee.

Inspire Your Mentees

Great mentors are capable of inspiring others to the point of intelligent action. Openly share your own challenges and struggles to help students understand your journey to success. Invite other people in your industry to speak with your mentee.

Embarking on an unfamiliar career landscape without direction can be risky for the inexperienced, but the advice of a great mentor provides light and a smoother path through the darkness. Do not underestimate your role in helping someone improve himself or establish a successful career. Becoming a mentor and seeing your mentees excel because of your influence is an honorable reward, so advise with a happy heart.

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