Mentoring can be one of life’s greatest rewards. Whether you mentor a young professional at your place of work, a college student from your alma mater, or even your own children, mentoring will bring about great satisfaction in life and will allow you to learn and grow. In order to be successful mentors to whomever we may be mentoring, I have three suggestion or techniques we can use that will allow us to have the greatest impact possible on the lives of those we are guiding.
#1 Don’t Worry but Believe.
We must not worry or fret over the progress or success of our mentee but instead we must believe in them. This does not mean that we do not care about their success but instead it simply means we are sending the message that we have trust in them and that we accept the fact that we cannot force them to do anything. Therefore, rather than worry, what a mentee really needs is someone who believes in them.
As mentors, we can do this by helping to expand the vision of those we are teaching and by assisting them in recognizing their own strengths. We can help them see the endless possibilities that stand before them. We can motivate them to challenge and stretch themselves and we can help them feel secure that we will support them through failure and triumph. Demonstrating that we believe in them can make all the difference to young and eager individuals as they strive to reach their goals.
#2 Don’t Fix but Guide.
When our mentees are faced with challenges, often the temptation is to immediately offer solutions in order to eliminate the problem. Instead, we must wait patiently while helping the mentee think through their own difficulties. We should not provide an easy way out for them but on the contrary, we should help them learn important lessons by working through their problems. As mentors, rarely if ever should we intervene with the difficulties our mentees are facing. Instead, we can offer subtle nudges in the right direction. This will allow us to support their personal growth and confidence.
#3 Take the High Road
Though at times it may be difficult, as mentors we must always take the high road and do what is right by avoiding any form of dishonesty, or questionable behavior. When faced with ethical dilemmas, difficult circumstances, intense pressures, etc., encourage mentees to always take the high road by doing so yourself. Our example as mentors will have a lasting and powerful impact on the people we mentor. Setting a good example will allow our mentees to mirror our behavior with confidence. Taking the high road in all instances is important to successful mentorship.
As we develop these successful mentor qualities we will certainly have a lasting impact on those we are mentoring and we feel a great sense of personal satisfaction. Whether it’s a colleague, a student, or even our own child, mentorship is worth the small sacrifices. And, as we intentionally mentor others, we will become great leaders.