Who Is Your Mentor?

Jason Finnerty 10th August Career 4 Comments


    There are some things that you knew how to do from the moment you arrived on this planet.  Eating – yup, sleeping – yup, and a few other related “projects”.  But for everything else you do, you had to learn by watching or listening to someone else.  You might have done this as a child, watching your parents make funny noises until you realized it was their own language.  Or you might have learned this as a teenager, learning how to drive a car with the help of a very patient parent or a professional instructor.

    Chances are, you weren’t born knowing exactly how to do your job, whether it’s your current position or your dream position – unless your dream position involves eating, sleeping, and er, other biological needs.

    Martha wrote a great post about the benefits of mentoring over on FreelanceSwitch, as well as some good info on the different types of mentors that are out there.  The act of teaching someone can help reinforce your knowledge of your job, as well as provide you with a welcome boost to your ego, while the opportunity to learn from an expert in your field can pay off handsomely now and in the future.

    Are you looking for someone that you can mentor, or are you looking for someone to mentor you?  Hopefully, your answer is “yes” to both.

    How do you foster your mentor relationship?  Please share some of the tips and tricks on how to find and develop a positive mentor relationship.


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    After spending way too long in the corporate world, Jason has switched to full-time freelancing. With any luck you enjoyed this article - and if you need one of your very own, give him a shout! @brandscaping on the twitter, or at brandscaping.ca

    Discussion

    1. Melanie Brooks on the 11th August
      Reply  

      Luckily my mentor is my boss – the woman that hired me. I have learned practically every aspect of my job from her….except dealing with deadlines. That’s always been one of my strengths.

      Here is a good resource on mentoring relationships from Inc.com: http://www.inc.com/guides/growth/24509.html

    2. Felipe Martyn on the 11th August
      Reply  

      I have quite a few mentors.

      My uncle was my biggest for sure…

      However, nowadays, I have a professor, master in aesthetics, so he is the one with a critic eye towards my design, and I have a aikido sensei that helps me to achieve a more balanced and mature attitude about life and my innerself.

    3. Sam Schuurman on the 11th August
      Reply  

      I have three mentors, all of whom help me with different aspects of my personal and professional development.

      I tend to find these mentors largely by chance. Usually mutual benefit and mutual interests are the basis for these relationships.

      I don’t think you can ever over value the impact of having wise council at your side. I inkow that I personally have got a great deal from this.

    4. MundoCaco on the 20th August
      Reply  

      I have two mentors.
      I learn of them …

      We work together and learn Each Other.

      It is a marvelous country and constructive experience.

      thanks for make think about it with this post. 😉

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