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By Sam Shosanya
The Power of Mentorship: Hey there! Ambitious go-getter? Looking to accelerate your career and surprise yourself with what is possible? Or are you feeling stuck in your business or career, unsure of how to take that next big leap? Maybe you’re drowning in a sea of responsibilities, wearing too many hats, and can’t seem to find the time to focus on your own growth. Trust me, I’ve been there, and it’s not a nice place to be.
Mentorship is a super effective way to transform your career trajectory, boost your confidence, and open doors you never even knew existed. It’s not a magic pill or a minimum-effort solution—it’s a time-tested way to drastically improve your chances of success.
How important is getting the right mentor? Some of the most successful people in the world—think Oprah Winfrey (mentored by Maya Angelou), Mark Zuckerberg (Steve Jobs), and Bill Gates (Warren Buffet)—all credit their mentors with playing a crucial role in their success.
Now, I may not agree with the politics or principles of some of these people, but their career success is undeniable—which means we have something to learn from them.
“To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.” – Ancient Chinese Proverb
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb
Step 1: Clarify Your Objectives
Before you even start looking for a mentor, you need to get crystal clear on what you want to achieve. Are you looking to climb the corporate ladder? Launch your own business? Pivot to a new industry? Whatever your goals, you need to articulate them clearly.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the French writer, poet, and aviator, wisely said, “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” And David Allen, a productivity consultant and the author of the book Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, said, “In order to feel good about what you’re not doing, you need to be clear about what you are doing.”
So, grab a pen and paper (or open up that Notes app) and write down your career objectives. Be specific. Instead of “I want to be successful,” try something like “I want to become a senior manager in a tech company within the next three years.”
This clarity will not only help you identify the right mentor but also ensure that your mentorship relationship is focused and productive. Remember, your objectives may evolve over time, and that’s okay. The important thing is to have a starting point.
Step 2: Identify Potential Mentors
Now that you know what you want, it’s time to scout for potential mentors. Look for individuals who have the experience, skills, and values that align with yours. They could be within your organization, your professional network, or even outside your industry. It all depends on the objectives you have outlined.
“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” – Steven Spielberg
So, don’t just look for someone who will create a version of themselves. Seek out people who complement your skills and will challenge your thinking—people who will help you see old problems or challenges in a new way and cause you to grow uniquely.
Create a list of potential mentors and rank them based on their alignment with your objectives, their availability, and their potential willingness to mentor. Don’t be afraid to aim high. Most people won’t follow through on what they know (there’s a great book published by Harvard Business Press called The Knowing-Doing Gap by Pfeffer and Sutton). Use this knowledge to your advantage and don’t compromise on who you target—you might be surprised at who says yes!
Step 3: Research and Prepare
Before you make your approach, do your homework. Learn about your potential mentors’ backgrounds, career paths, and areas of expertise. Preparation is the key to success.
Alexander Graham Bell famously said, “Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” Prepare thoughtful questions or discussion topics that reflect your research and demonstrate your genuine interest in their guidance. This preparation will set you apart and show that you’re serious about the mentorship relationship.
Step 4: Make the Initial Approach
Alright, it’s time for the moment of truth. Reaching out to a potential mentor can feel daunting but remember: fortune favours the brave! Craft a concise, respectful message that expresses your admiration for their work (with specific examples), outlines your career goals, and explains why you believe they would be a great mentor for you.
Be authentic and sincere. Nobody likes a brown-noser, but everyone appreciates genuine admiration and respect. And don’t be discouraged if you don’t get a response right away. These are busy people, after all. Follow up politely if necessary, but also be prepared to move on to the next person on your list if needed.
A tip if things don’t work out initially: practice resilience. I love reading and listening to books. There’s one called The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday. The book focuses on how you turn challenges into opportunities and develop a resilient mindset. Learn to love your obstacles because they actually mark the route to your success!
Step 5: Set Expectations Early
Congratulations! A mentor has agreed to work with you. Now it’s time to set clear expectations. Discuss the frequency of meetings, location, format (in-person, virtual, phone call, etc.), preferred communication methods, and specific areas of focus. This clarity will prevent misunderstandings and ensure that both you and your mentor are on the same page.
Step 6: Engage Actively and Show Commitment
Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Be proactive in scheduling meetings, setting the agenda, and following through on advice or tasks your mentor provides. Show appreciation for their time and insights. Remember, your mentor is investing in you—make sure they see a return on that investment!
Take the opportunity to pleasantly surprise your mentor and go the extra mile. Maybe you offer an insight that required you to explore something they mentioned in passing. Or maybe you give them a gift that you know would have great personal value because it’s something that they’ve touched on in your conversations—or that you’ve learned about them through your research.
“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.” – Tony Robbins
Step 7: Seek Feedback Regularly
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. In fact, make it a regular part of your mentorship relationship. Ask your mentor how you’re progressing and how the mentorship relationship itself is going. Be open to constructive criticism—it’s the fastest way to grow.
“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” – Ken Blanchard
Step 8: Expand Your Network and Knowledge
Your mentor is a gateway to a whole new world of connections and knowledge. Use their network and insights to connect with others, gain exposure to new ideas, and explore different perspectives.
How important is tapping into your mentor’s network? Let me put it this way: I have had four CEO roles and have been approached through my network to apply for three of them. The other one was leading a business for an organisation I had previously worked in. More often than you might imagine, your network will be at least as important as your knowledge and experience.
Step 9: Consider Multiple Mentors
As you grow and your goals diversify, you might find that you need more than one mentor. That’s perfectly okay! Different mentors can provide varied perspectives and help you grow in different areas. Just make sure each mentor is aware of your other mentoring relationships to avoid any confusion or overlap.
Step 10: Pay It Forward
As you progress in your career, don’t forget to pay it forward. Consider mentoring others who are earlier in their careers. Share your experiences and lessons learned. Not only will this reinforce your own learning, but it will also establish you as someone with a leader’s mindset.
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
Mentoring others is a powerful way to give back and create a lasting impact in your business or sector—and in the lives of others. It truly is better to give than to receive.
Now I know we’ve covered a lot of ground here. Finding and nurturing a mentorship relationship isn’t always easy, but I promise you it’s worth it. The guidance, support, and opportunities that come from a good mentorship can be truly life-changing.
So, are you ready to take the plunge and find your perfect mentor? Are you excited to unlock your full potential and blast your career to new heights?
Your potential is limitless. All you need is the right guidance to unlock it.
Sam Shosanya | Founder
+64 (0) 21 828 392
sam@seed-ba.com
www.seed-ba.com
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Mary Jones says:
This is a great article that I enjoyed reading. Thank you.
nzbio says:
Thank you Mary!