Our earliest mentors are usually family members. We go to them when we need advice, guidance and help. As we grow up, we still need support, even if we don't like to admit it. Workplace mentors are often part of your induction training, designed to give you personal support as you take on a new position and new responsibilities.
A mentor helps you on a one-to-one basis, rather than in a formal training program. They are there to guide you, give you advice and help you when you need it. A good mentor will not tell you what to do, or do it for you, but rather they will question, challenge and prompt you to work out solutions and make decisions for yourself. A mentor is usually older than you, but is always someone with more knowledge and experience in the position or industry you are in. Whether your mentor is helping you at work or in your personal life, there are a few points to remember that will help you gain the most from your mentoring relationship.
1. Mentoring is a confidential relationship
Whether it's embarrassing or incriminating, what you share with your mentor is confidential. You need to be able to share your fears, concerns and problems with your mentor, without fear of it becoming office gossip. The relationship therefore must be based on mutual trust and open communication.
2. Mentoring is about communication
In order for your mentor to be able to guide and advise you, he or she must know what you are thinking, what your concerns are and what obstacles you may be facing. Honest, open communication is vital to any good relationship, and mentoring is no different.
3. Mentoring is about accepting help
People are often reluctant to accept advice from others. As a child you were encouraged to be independent, to do things and solve your problems yourself. Now you're all grown up, you've got to accept help again! Often, people don't want to accept help because they think it will be seen as a sign of weakness or lack of capability. Your mentor wants to help you - and they have the experience to know when you need it, so let them do what they are supposed to do.
4. You will be challenged
A good mentor will challenge you to extend yourself beyond your comfort zone. This will be uncomfortable for you, and even a little scary, and you may resent being pushed. However, rising to the challenge allows you to grow, develop and learn.
5. Be willing to learn
Accepting that you do have things to learn, about life, people, the job or the industry, will help you to accept the guidance offered by your mentor. As you learn, you will develop the confidence and skills you need to accept the new responsibilities. After all, if you knew it all already, you'd be the mentor!
6. Mentors come from all walks of life
Workplace mentors, and personal mentors in particular, may be people that you did not realize had so much to contribute to your development as a human being. Many personal mentors start out as friends, because friendship builds the trust required in order for you to confide in someone and take their advice. Life lessons can be learnt from the homeless man in the park, if you just stop and listen.
Having a good mentor can guide you through many areas of your life. Every change in your life, whether personal or work related, demands new skills, new knowledge or new experience from you. Whether you're getting married, having a baby, starting a new job or opening your own business, advice from people you trust, whose knowledge and experience is greater than yours, can only be of benefit to you.
There are several online mentoring programs that can help you progress and overcome the obstacles you face. I've benefited from the guidance I received from iDuplicate. Check out my website http://www.deliarobinsonlive.com for more information about iDuplicate.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Delia_Robinson
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