There are many aspects of being a good mentor. Perhaps the most important aspect is showing the mentee that they have endless potential. A good mentor will listen much more than they will be offering advice. A key part of helping the mentee achieve success is breaking down barriers to success that the mentee has in place. Offer support but also demand accountability and do not accept excuses. A mentor should be genuine but also show some emotion. The ultimate goal is for the mentee to become the best version of him or herself possible. The mentor always need to remember that the mentee is a separate individual and keep their own ambitions separate. It is also essential to have a support group for the mentee by introducing many different people to help with guidance.
Key Takeaways:
- To be a successful mentor you need to breakdown the borders and restrictions they’ve put up, make sure there are no limitations.
- Make sure you carefully consider any advice you are going to give to your mentee.
- Be articulate in explaining how the mentee might benefit from your past experiences.
“Sometimes, as a mentor, you just have to help people get out of their own way. You can help them think sky’s the limit, not limitations. Help them focus on improvement, not approval.”