creating a long-term relationship with a mentor
How to set your career up for the long run? The answer is simple: look for a mentor who has the results that you aim to have and create a long-term relationship based on a value-exchange!
The power of mentorship is well-established by research: People with mentors perform better, advance faster in their careers, and experience more work-life satisfaction.
76% of professionals believe that a mentor is important to growth, > 54% do not have one though!
#1 reason being that people do not know how to find a mentor or establish a relationship!
You are one step ahead, because you are proactively researching and learning about the importance of mentorship.
The 10-steps of the Mentorship Masterplan on how to get a mentor are your blueprint:
- Define your goal using the SMART method.
- Break down the goal by industry and network.
- Make a shortlist of the “who do you know?”.
- Do your due diligence by researching the shortlist (LinkedIn, YouTube, Online Publications).
- Get connected with the mentor.
- Do your homework: Develop your value proposition for a possible exchange.
- Get that exchange with the mentor - digital coffees are the new normal!
- The exchange-aftermath: Listen, learn & duplicate, then execute with a sprinkle of YOU on top.
- Reaffirm the mentor’s value contribution to your goal by looping them in.
- Develop that long-term relationship based on a value exchange.
The most pivotal point for long-term career guidance by a mentor is to “develop a relationship based on a value exchange”! This value exchange is achieved by executing three “To Dos”:
1. give feedback
Remember to provide feedback via E-Mail (100-150 words) two to three days after exchanging with a mentor. There are three communication ways of giving feedback by expressing gratitude, value, or results. Learn more about these 3 forms of communication with precise E-Mail templates here. Giving feedback and reaffirming to the mentor that the information received has enabled you to grow (i.e. learn something, conduct different actions, etc.) or achieve certain results (i.e. job, promotion, etc.) is satisfying to any mentor and a pivotal emotional aspect to creating a long-term relationship.
2. provide value
Creating a relationship with a mentor is easier when providing value. There are two types of value that a mentee can give:
a. Give insights based on your professional expertise: any knowledge acquired on your job (i.e. market performance, consumer insights, campaign learning, etc.)
b. Share information acquired through online research (i.e. articles read, YouTube videos / Ted Talks listened to, etc.)
3. learn & ask
Lastly, the icing on the mentorship cake is to learn about your mentor’s experiences and interests (private and professional), to build with them by following their advice and to ask them to engage in a long-term guidance commitment. When asking a mentor to work together long-term keep the communication simple and appreciative:
“I truly appreciate your guidance and time. Your advice has provided me with precise action steps and lead to XXX (state the exact results). If OK for you, I would love to continue our exchange over the long run by checking in with you every now and then (the next mentorship session is always set after each exchange)?”
Once you stated your desire to create a long-term commitment: let the mentor be the judge! The mentor is surely going to propose a coaching engagement based on their availability.
Personally, most of my relationships with mentors have formed naturally by following all the 10-steps of the Mentorship Masterplan. Voicing the desire to engage in an official mentorship relationship is just a confirmation if you are unsure or would like reassurance.
Following these three steps with enable you to seize your biggest opportunities with the mentor and to receive guidance with any challenges!
YOU ARE A BOSS!
I am excited to see you win on all levels!
Thus, I would love to read your personal mentorship story or get your feedback on this column. Drop me an E-Mail: editioncarolyne@gmail.com.
Monday Minutes are my personal & independent reflections for inspirational purposes only. They are not professional career advice, they simply outline my experience & advice that has been shared with me and helped me personally.