SECRETS TO EFFECTIVE MENTORING

WHO IS A MENTOR?

A mentor is one with EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE who helps a less experienced or inexperienced person grow FASTER by sharing his skills, expertise & experience with him or her.

I have never seen any great person become great without the help of a mentor.

Suffice it to add here that there is nothing like a SELF MADE MAN OR WOMAN.

Nobody is self-made. We are other people's investment whether we like it or not. Someone invested something in us at one time of our lives or the other. It might be money, words or prayers.

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES YOU MUST LOOK FOR IN A MENTOR?

1. EXPERIENCE
A mentor must have experience. Money is not a criterion for mentoring. The first thing you must look for is experience.

Now, this is important, A MENTOR MIGHT BE YOUNGER THAN YOU BUT WITH MORE EXPERIENCE THAN YOU.

It's not about age but the EXPERIENCE.

2. EXPERTISE

Expertise stipulates both TECHNICAL & PROFESSIONAL KNOW-HOW.

A mentor must be EXCEPTIONAL in that area of skill or expertise. Don't go for a mediocre.

3. SUCCESS
There must be visible signs of success in that area of need.

A failure will produce failures. A successful man will produce successful people.

4. HEALTHY REPUTATION
A mentor must possess a viable reputation - Reputation of industry, commitment, transparency and assiduousness.

TYPES OF MENTORS

Now, there are various types of mentors

1. Professional mentor: someone who helps you grow in your chosen profession.

2. Ministerial or spiritual mentor: This guides you spiritually.

3. Distant mentor: I have a distant mentor. As a matter of fact, I haven't met him before but I've built a relationship with him and he consistently helps me grow.

Business mentor: If you are an entrepreneur or a business inclined person, it's pertinent that you have a business mentor.

NOW, WHAT ARE THE ROLES OF A MENTOR?

1. Manage you
2. Nurture you
3. Encourage you
4. Teach you
5. Coach you
6. Counsel you
7. Advise you
8. Criticize you
9. Listen to you
10. Push you
11. Support you

I must say here that it is not the responsibility of a MENTOR to support you financially or GIVE YOU MONEY.

Furthermore, there is a big difference between a MENTOR, COACH & ROLE MODEL.

A COACH is someone who helps you learn a trade, vocation or skill. A coach is paid to do the job. He's more concerned about your today.

A ROLE MODEL is someone you see as an example; who is already where you aspire to be or is someone you aspire to become.

WHY DO YOU NEED A MENTOR?

A mentor gives you a shoulder to climb on. He or she is like a staircase.

A mentor helps you achieve your dreams faster.

A mentor gives you a path to follow.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR MENTORING

1. People Management: A mentor must be a good manager of people.

2. Emotional intelligence: I mentor must understand the feelings of people, facial expressions, countenance and body language.

3. LISTENING: A mentor must be a good listener. Use your ears more than your mouth.

Finally, for you to call someone a mentor, there must be a RELATIONSHIP.

IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MENTOR TO KEEP THE RELATIONSHIP GOING, BUT THE MENTEE.

When last did you sit down with your mentor or have an interaction with him or her?

Also, you can have as many as five mentors in various areas.

You can also change mentors. It's not do or die.

And don't just go to someone and say: 'I want you to be my mentor.'

Instead say,

'I want you to mentor me in business or career or ministry, or spirituality or profession'

BE SPECIFIC!