We know there’s value in having a mentor. After all, a mentor can help us reach places that we can’t on our own.
A mentor is an experienced and/or trusted advisor. Many times, these mentors have experienced what we’re going through, about to face, or have just come through.
Photo by Xuan Nguyen on Unsplash
Mentors have the wisdom of experience. We desire that wisdom to get through our challenges.
But…
We need to consider 6 things before we take on a mentor. It may seem strange to ask questions about a mentor. But, if we don’t, we may miss key insights into whether or not the mentor is a fit for us.
6 Questions To Ask Yourself About A Mentor
1. What are their accomplishments?
First, we need to ask them and ourselves about their accomplishments. Have they successfully run a business? Did they grow it from the ground up? Did they step in and help a business recover?
Their accomplishments will tell you whether or not they can get things done. Look for what they’ve done.
2. Have they accomplished what I am setting out to do?
You know what needs to change in your life. You know what you need to accomplish. But does the mentor you’re looking at have the experience?
Find mentors whose accomplishments line up with the help you need. A mentor may be able to help you even without experiencing a similar situation, but a mentor who has gone through what you’re going through will be able to help you more than someone who hasn’t.
3. Are they interested in helping me grow?
You may find a mentor who has the experience. They may even line up perfectly with everything you desire in a mentor. However, they may not be interested in helping you grow.
A mentor has to be interested in the mentee. Without a keen interest in seeing you grow, the mentor will be standoffish and hesitant to participate in your growth.
Find a mentor who’s interested in you.
4. Do they have the time to help me achieve my goals?
People are busy. Mentors, even more so.
Find a mentor with the time and energy to pour into your life. Your situation.
Reaching your goals takes time. If the mentor you’re pursuing doesn’t have the time, not only will they become frustrated, but you’ll also become frustrated.
You’ll wonder where they are. You may ask why they’re not responding to your messages.
A mentor must have time to help you.
5. How do they treat others?
How a mentor treats others is a key indication of how he will treat you. If he treats others poorly, he’ll probably treat you poorly. If she’s kind and gentle but firm, that’s how she’ll treat you.
Be aware of how your potential mentor treats others. It’s a reflection of how they will treat you.
6. Does their moral life align with mine?
It breaks my heart whenever I see people pick a mentor without considering their personal/moral life. I see trouble barreling down at them like a wrong-way car going down the highway.
If a mentor’s personal life and values don’t align with yours, you will be taught by someone who may have no qualms in the gray areas of leadership.
Be aware that the moral life of a mentor matters.
