Some of the most successful people — most of them actually — have mentors to thank for guiding them in the right direction and being there to answer questions and help navigate problems.
The bottom line is this: if you want to be the best, learn from someone who has already done it.
Here are a few quick things to consider when choosing a mentor:
- They should be more advanced than you are.
Sure, we all trade tips with colleagues here and there who are in the same boat as we are. But a mentor should have definitely been there, done that and have done it well. Obviously, if your goal is to be a media maven like, say, Oprah, the media maven herself probably won’t be available for one-on-one mentorship. But surely there is someone else in your industry to contact.
Call them up, introduce yourself and tell them you like their work. Get to know them — not to emulate everything they do, but to get an idea of what works and what doesn’t for your own business. Note: this person should not only be someone you professionally admire, but also someone you can personally stand to be around.
- Listen to what they have to say.
If you think you know more than your mentor, then this person was probably not a good selection for you. As we said, this person should be further along than you are; subsequently, they should have useful advice — and you should take it.
- You don’t have to tell everyone.
Once you get your mentor secured, you don’t have to have to make a mention of every single lunch date, conversation or email exchange you have with your mentor, especially if the person’s name is recognizable. In so many areas of business, discretion is key and consider whether your mentor wants all of Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and everyone else to know their business with you. Quietly learn from this person, soak up their influence on your business life and enhance your company.
Shout them out from the rooftops after you make your first million.
P.S. – We found a site called the Mentor Hall of Fame that lists successful mentor/mentee pairings. Check it out.
