Effective Leadership: The Art of Mentoring
Editor’s note: This is the third and final installation of a three-part series on effective leadership. Read about why and how individuals lead in part one, and find out how to awaken your leadership qualities in part two.
If you were able to apply any of the previous information to your current leadership role, we encourage you to take your leadership abilities one step further and explore the art of mentorship.
A mentor is a trusted person who advises and serves as a role model in a specific field of expertise. The purpose of a mentor is to develop, encourage, and allow the mentee to achieve their goals with their mentor’s support.
Have you ever been mentored? If so, think back to how the relationship began. Did you grow and bloom as an individual with your mentor’s guidance?
I’ve had several mentors throughout my life—professional mentors and life mentors.
My grandmother, Libby, was my life mentor. I would go to her for counsel through difficult decisions and times of triumph and strife because she lived her life with a strong and steady life compass. No matter the situation, I knew I’d receive the best advice because of her life course. Our love and trust for one another provided a mutual respect for our mentor/mentee connection to that lasts beyond lifetimes.
Life tip: Take professional, personal, spiritual, financial, and you-name-it advice from those who have a historical consistency of success in whatever area of life you seek counsel.
How do you begin a mentoring relationship? Use the checklist below to determine who would be a good fit for your mentoring journey:
- Determine the growth and learning goals you want to achieve through mentorship
- Once you have a mentor in mind, have a conversation with them and clearly communicate why you want them to be your mentor
- Cultivate a relationship of trust, comfortability, and mutual respect
- Identify shared interests, and create opportunities for personal growth
- Most importantly, allow yourself to intentionally follow the guidance of your mentor
Having mentors in your career field or other areas of your life allows you to grow because of your willingness to learn from someone who’s been there, done that. And not just learn from them, but apply the knowledge.
Do you possess the art of mentoring? If so, would you allow yourself to mentor someone if they asked you?
I love learning. Most importantly, I love the art of learning because I learn best by hands-on, touching, feeling, smelling, and living different types of scenarios. I’ve taken every opportunity to learn from those around me, especially mentors that are thriving in their military lifestyles, in their careers, as parents and students, and as good humans. I want to be the best version of myself.
If you want to grow, seek out a mentor or serve as someone’s mentor. Don’t be afraid to ask, as you both will gain from the relationship. Use the checklist and determine what you could gain from seeking advice from a mentor and make the commitment to yourself.
The art of mentoring might take your leadership effectiveness to the next level.
