Do you have a mentor you look up to? Have they helped propel your career forward and given you valuable advice?
Mentors can make a huge impact on our professional growth and careers. This is especially true for entrepreneurs who need advice on relationships and strategy to grow their business.
So, how do you find a good mentor? It can be a challenging process to find a mentor who can provide you with the support you need.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when making the most of your mentorships.
Mentors should be successful, but success is not everything. Instead of focusing super heavily on whether someone has “made it big,” prioritize getting to know someone who has taken an impressive and honorable path to fulfill their business plans.
Both the mentee and mentor need to put in the work. All relationships are two-way streets. If the you feel like you are the only one reaching out to your mentor (or vice versa) for meetings and follow-up, it may be time to reevaluate the relationship.
Mentorships should be available in the workplace. You don’t have to look elsewhere to find a great mentor. If you’re running a startup or company, find a way to connect your staff partners together to (1) get to know each other better, (2) create better job satisfaction, and (3) help mentees find industry-related mentors.
Check out Shirley Liu discuss the power of mentorship in her TED Talk, “Why the Power of Mentoring can Change the World.”
How have you made the most out of mentorships? Tweet @StarterNoise.
Derek Rundell, is a successful business leader, operator, and serial entrepreneur. Derek has founded, managed and sold businesses in the technology, media and finance industries. He sits on several boards and serves as an advisor/investor to numerous established businesses and startups. Startups are Derek’s real passion, and in addition to building his own portfolio of technology, media and financial ventures, he invests in and mentors startups and entrepreneurs. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping other businesses succeed.