Choosing a Mentor: Five Things You Should Know

Choosing a mentor can be quite tricky, especially if you don’t know what to look out for. While it may seem difficult, we cannot deny the fact that mentorship plays a huge role in our outlook on life. Beyond this, it goes a long way to determine how fast we grow professionally and in other aspects of our lives.

Now that you are ready to find a mentor, you must be wondering what you should do to find the one that suits you perfectly. We will show you five things you should know in this post.

Who is a Mentor?

People understand mentorship differently. For some, a mentor is a sage who provides them with all the answers to complex life questions. Others view mentors as senior friends from whom they can learn by watching how they lead their lives. Thus, it is best we provide a definition of who a mentor is before we dive into what you should know about choosing one.

A mentor is someone who has specialized knowledge and can provide education and motivation in specific areas of your life. They are quite similar to teachers or coaches in that they provide guidance to less-experienced individuals. Where they differ is that while providing an opportunity for learning, they do not receive any payments for their services.

Five Things to Know When Choosing a Mentor

Many times, finding a mentor is an organic process. However, if you are in search of a mentor, you need to be proactive. Doing this gives you a chance to choose a mentor that suits your present and future needs. That being said, here are five things you should know when choosing a mentor:

Figure out what you want

After deciding that you want to choose a mentor, the next thing you need to do is figure out what you want. At this stage, you are trying to figure out why you really want a mentorship. Again, we must understand that a mentor is different from a teacher, coach, or sponsor.

Take some time to think about it properly. Who do you need at this stage of your life or professional career? If you need a mentor, then what kind of person should they be? Many people begin mentorship relationships that don’t last beyond one or two meetings. Such relationships usually break down because the mentees don’t know what they want.

Be sure you share common values

Values are very important to how far you go in life. When choosing a mentor, you should consider someone who shares your values. This way, you will be on the same page regarding what you plan to achieve with the mentorship.

If you find someone who looks like a good mentor, your next step is to ask about their values. You may need to do it subtly, probably over coffee or a courtesy call. If they have similar values, you can proceed to the next step.

Check that they are able to mentor you

The fact that someone looks like a great mentor, has an amazing mentorship track record, and shares common values does not mean they can mentor you. How is this so?

They might be great individuals but they have so much on their plate at the moment. Mentorship is a relationship that requires a lot of time investment. A person you regard as a mentor should have sufficient time to attend to you, or else providing guidance may be difficult. Confirm with them if they are able to mentor you at the moment. If they can’t, you can still maintain a cordial relationship with them and seek guidance when the opportunity arises.

Develop thick skin

Mentorship is not a lovey-dovey affair. There are times when your mentor will pat you on the back, and at other times, they will give you the stick. It is a relationship that should be built on unfiltered honesty.

While your mentor will support you and help you grow, they will need to brash you when you get it wrong. As such, they might say some things that are difficult to take in. However, such discussions will ultimately help you in the future.

Seek God’s face

This might be the last thing on our list, but as Christians, it is the first thing we must do. God understands your assignment and purpose and knows who’s most suitable as a mentor. Speak to God and ask Him for help to find the right mentor for you. Doing this will give you eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to discern who God has designed for this task.

Who a Mentor Isn’t

As mentioned earlier, many people have misconceptions about mentors. There are certain things a mentor is not. Here are some of them:

• A mentor is not a therapist. Although they might offer guidance and invaluable support, they cannot provide therapeutic services.
• Mentors are not coaches. The latter receives payment for imparting knowledge, and usually, their teaching periods are time-bound.
• Finally, a mentor does not present a magical fix to your career, professional, or personal issues. You have a role to play.

Conclusion

Choosing a mentor does not have to be difficult. In this post, we explained who a mentor is, what you should know when choosing a mentor, and who a mentor isn’t. Would you like to join the conversation? Join our Community today. Meanwhile, read other posts to help you grow as a Christian leader on GodKulture.