Women Seeking Mentors
5 Questions to Ask Yourself
Finding a mentor is no easy task but like most challenges, thereward is worth it. From insights to experience to the mistakes he or she made, a mentor can shape and define a career like no other resource.
Why mentorship matters for women
Strong mentorship can provide an advantage for any professional at any career level, but for female professionals, especially those in leadership positions, a mentor can make all the difference. Such advice can help in overcoming the many gender-related challenges that women still face in the modern workplace.
It is not all the external environment, however. Some of the challenges women encounter in the workplace don't necessarily come from their working environment, but rather from within, said professional life coach Vittoria Adhami.
With the guidance of a trusted mentor, women can learn to overcome the internal and external factors that hold them back, and go on to successfully grow in their careers. Here are five questions female professionals should ask themselves to help find the right mentor.
Why do I look up to this person?
First and foremost, you should ask yourself if you admire this person for her or his achievements and industry experience. Your mentor should ideally be someone who shares your professional outlook and perhaps has even accomplished the goals you hope to achieve.
When you've identified someone you think might be a good mentor, avoid asking the person up front if he or she is willing to mentor you. Cooke advised starting off with an invitation to coffee or lunch, and asking to pick the person's brain about his or her experience to get a better idea of how your professional relationship would work.
Am I able to work well with this person?
While you may have identified someone who meets your requirements for an ideal mentor, that person may not necessarily serve as a great partner. It's critical to know that you can work and communicate well with the person who's going to help guide your career.
"The mentor must be supportive, communicative, inspiring and must feel that your needs are important," Adhami said. "Know the person well before you ask him or her to become your mentor. Form a relationship first. Even if you think that the mentor you want is very knowledgeable, he or she might not necessarily be able to communicate effectively their knowledge."
Is this person engaged in the local community?
If you don't have a particular mentor in mind when you begin your search, a good place to start looking is your own local community. Small business owners often have a wealth of leadership knowledge and experience that they're often happy to share with other local professionals.
Can this person guide me toward my professional goals?
It's important to remember that a mentor does not play the same role in your professional success as a coach might. Mentorship does not mean someone telling you what moves to make; it's about someone encouraging you to find the answers yourself. Hennessy noted that an effective mentor must be nonjudgmental, an active listener, empathetic and very compassionate, providing advice only when asked.
Is this person happy in his or her career?
Being good at something and doing well in your chosen career don't necessarily mean you've achieved success. If a seemingly successful person is working at a job he or she secretly hates, it will show, and that person is probably not your ideal mentor. Seek out someone who truly loves his or her work.
Source: businessnewsdaily
Patty Block, President and Founder of The Block Group, established her company to advocate for women-owned businesses, helping them position their companies for strategic growth. Charting the course for impactful, sustainable, profitable businesses, the beacon is control: of your strategic direction, your money, your time, your staffing, and your ability to bring in business. The Block Group brings together the people, resources and ideas that build results.
Business consulting for women entrepreneurs in Houston.
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