105: How to Find a Mentor

In Greek mythology, Mentor was a friend of Odysseus and was placed in charge of his son Telemachus when Odysseus left for war.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary calls a mentor, “A trusted counselor or guide.”

What do you want to get from mentoring?

• Probably what you aren’t good at (or at least not yet)
• Plus, it’s something that’s important for you to get better at

Advance planning

• Who do you know who’s good at that?
• Are there multiple people?
• You don’t have to know them today
• Your greatest mentors will never expect anything
• Identify specifically how someone can help and begin there
• Make a mind map of the people who could help
• Create a board of directors

Getting Started

• Start off with a specific question
• Know that not everyone will respond or won’t be willing to help
• Wait on asking someone to “be a mentor”
  • Everyone has a different context for this
  • It could seem like a huge commitment
  • It’s awkward if they don’t want to make that committment

Find a way to connect regularly

• This is where proximity and formal programs can help
• Make a point to connect regularly
• It’s great to be influenced by those that you don’t speak with regularly, but find people you will see

Be willing to ask for help

• Get out of the “asking for help is a weakness” mentality

What’s something in front of you right now that a new perspective would be helpful with? My challenge to you is to go out and identify a person and approach them with a specific question and ask advice. Remember, you don’t have to take the advice. If they don’t respond, identify a second person.

Past shows that might also be helpful to you on the topic of mentoring:

• Episode #61: How to Start A Mentoring Program with guest Stella Cowan
• Episode #63: Practical Advice for Mentoring with guest Kurt Allebach

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