Choosing an individual as your mentor is a big step in personal or professional growth, and it’s not something to rush into. The right mentor can guide you, challenge you, and help you avoid mistakes they made in the past but the wrong one on the other hand might leave you feeling stuck.
Before you ask an individual to be your mentor, it is necessary to ask yourself a few key questions to make sure they’re truly the right fit for you.
In this article Tribune Online examines 10 questions to ask yourself before choosing an individual as your mentor.
1. What Have They Achieved?
Whenever you are about to choose an individual who you think may be the right mentor for you, it is important to ask yourself if they have achieved the same or similar results that you wish to achieve.
Choosing someone who has successfully overcome the challenges that you may face in your journey to success in a specific area of your life will help to provide you with the needed guidance as you navigate the same path.
2. Do They Have The Life I Want?
Another key question to ask yourself before choosing a mentor is that – Does this individual have the life I want?
You should critically examine the various aspects of their life like finance, lifestyle, mindset, health, family life, etc.
If such a person does not have the life that you desire, then it is advisable you don’t make them your mentor.
READ ALSO: 6 tips on how to find a mentor
3. Do I Look Up To This Person?
The decision to make a person your mentor should ideally come up if you look up to them as a result of their achievements and industry experience.
Your mentor should be someone who shares your professional outlook and perhaps has even accomplished the goals you hope to achieve.
4. Can This Person Guide Me Toward Achieving My Professional Goals?
Mentorship does not necessarily mean someone telling you what moves to make; it’s about someone encouraging you to find the answers yourself. A good mentor will guide, not advise; inspire, not motivate; critique, not judge; and share ideas and options, but not do it for you.
So, if you feel this person can guide you towards achieving your goals then they can be considered as a mentor.
5. Does This Person Demonstrate Receptivity?
A mentor should be an individual who is receptive to you. Your mentor should be someone who is excited and eager to have you in their space and not someone who is indifferent.
It is important when choosing a mentor to make sure the person has the time, interest and availability to devote to the mentoring relationship.
Accessibility is also an important element of mentoring, so look for someone who is willing to make time for you and put in the hours.
6. What Do I Want To Get Out Of A Mentorship?
The goal you intend to achieve from having a mentor is another vital question to ask yourself.
What really are you looking for in a mentor and what do you want to get out of the relationship?
Once you have defined your desired outcomes, it is easier to assess who is in a position to help you achieve that.
7. Have They Ever Been Where I Am Now?
A mentor needs to be able to understand where you’re coming from, the challenges you face and the path you’re on.
If they have walked in your shoes, they will be able to guide you around potential mistakes, as well as help you overcome the inevitable resistance and hurdles that pop up along your career progression.
So, before choosing that individual ensure that they have been where you are now.
8. Is This Person Happy In Their Career?
Happiness is often underrated in career but it is quite important that your mentor is an individual who is happy in their career.
Being good at something and doing well in a chosen career does not necessarily mean an individual is happy doing such.
You should look out for someone who truly loves their career and is happy doing it.
9. Do Our Values Align?
The question about value alignment is a critical one to answer before choosing a mentor.
You will have a more fulfilling journey with a mentor whose values align with yours than one who does not.
Knowing you have similar values helps you learn better from their mistakes and experiences.
10. Does Their Definition Of Success Matches Mine?
Finally, you want to ask yourself if the definition of success of this individual matches yours.
If your answer is in the negative, then find out whether this individual demonstrates an ability to provide advice toward an individual’s preferences instead of imposing opinions.
If your findings is still in the negative then it is advisable not to go for such individual in order to avoid been frustrated, confused and even derailed by advice that is completely outside the context of your definition of success.
At the end of the day, a mentor should be someone who inspires you, understands your goals, and is willing to invest time in your growth. Taking a moment to reflect on what you really need and whether the person you have in mind aligns with that can make all the difference.
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