Mentorship is an indispensable ingredient of success.
While it is possible for a professional to navigate a cut-throat work terrain without a mentor or mentor figure, the return on investment may not be the most gratifying.
Put differently, the world has become more fast-paced and much more competitive. With opportunities appearing to be in short supply, it helps to have a seasoned sojourner to offer guidance and save a mentee valuable time.
Even without the cut-throat nature of today’s world, there is simply not enough time for a person to learn from all their mistakes. Cheat codes are needed, and these sometimes come in the form of mentors.
Mentors must however be distinguished from coaches. The latter can be regarded as being more invested in more details of a person’s growth. Life coaches in particular focus on other areas of their clients’ lives, apart from the professional aspects.
Conversely, mentors are a bit more distant and flexible in their approach to mentees.
Even with the reduced level of communication, mentees can gain a lot by standing on the shoulders of mentors. This is provided that they adapt to the present realities and remain conscious of their approach.
Mentors Have Lives
Time remains the most valuable resource on earth, and it is typically in short supply for mentors. As accomplished professionals, mentors have a lot to attend to. Mentors may also not be disposed to long texts.
Mentees should respect the time of their mentors and prepare for long periods without communication with their mentors. Provided a mentee made a good impression and has developed a rapport with a mentor, there is no need to be worked up over extended silences.
Quality trumps quantity. One briefing may be enough to give a mentee the necessary insight to advance in their field.
Be of Value
While mentorships are geared towards a mentee benefitting more, a mentee must strive to even out the relationship as much as possible.
There are a handful of ways in which a mentee can be valuable to a mentor, ranging from event volunteering to the provision of insight on an imminent business transaction.
It goes without saying that a mentor would be more disposed to provide insight to a mentee who strategically takes the initiative.
Tone
For emails and WhatsApp texts alike, a mentee must endeavour to check their tone.
Due to the generational gap that typically exists in mentor-mentee relationships, the older party may feel slighted by a younger party’s honest communication. Accordingly, a mentee should assess every line of communication before sending.
A mentee must remain professional at all times.
