Research finds that having a mentor increases your career opportunities, salary, promotion schedule, and job satisfaction (Allen, et al., 2004).  Organizations are also discovering that mentoring is the most effective organizational strategy for developing new members in a profession.  With a wealth of benefits, how does one find a good mentor?  Given the importance of this topic, this blog will be the first in a three-part series “In Search of a Master Mentor.”  In the first part, we shall explore the qualities one should look for in selecting a mentor.

In searching for a master mentor, the characteristics listed below should help you understand the attitudes and attributes of a mentor who will best serve you.  Because each of us is unique, no one will possess all of these qualities. As a mentee, you must realize that your mentor cannot be all things to you as they will have both strengths and limitations in terms of the qualities they bring to the mentoring relationship.  But these qualities should serve as effective guideposts for identifying your master mentor.

Optimistic. A master mentor has a positive outlook on the future. They believe there is an exciting, satisfying, and rewarding future ahead in your chosen profession and they believe you can be a part of that future if you are willing to invest the time and effort to learn the requisite skills and knowledge the profession demands.

Role Model.  Consistently exhibiting the personal attributes it takes to be successful in the professional field is a key characteristic of a master mentor. Modeling the behaviors, values, and mindset of a successful professional is a powerful and irreplaceable source of practical knowledge. You want to be mentored by someone who is highly respected by their colleagues and co-workers and whose contributions and accomplishments are recognized.  For you to be successful, it is helpful to model success.

Curious, Open-Minded and Growth-Oriented.  Usually, mentors are senior leaders in their organizations and thus are in a position to understand how a field or industry is in a continual state of growth and change.  Even after many years of experience, the master mentor understands there is still much to learn. They are acutely aware that what worked a decade ago may not be optimal today, and what works today may not work in the future. A master mentor sets the example by continually learning new skills, identifying timely trends and exploring fresh ideas.

Approachable and Available.  Your mentor must be someone you feel comfortable approaching for advice or consultation.  Because your mentor is likely an established leader, their time will be limited and precious.  While you need to be sensitive to their time commitments, you must ensure that your mentor has time available to commit to you and your development.

Honest, Fair and Respectful.  A master mentor will dispense with fruitless formalities in favor of an open, even lively dialogue–a give-and-take–and won’t beat around the bush in offering you constructive feedback–good and bad. While remaining respectful of you, they will tell you what you need to hear rather than what you might want to hear.

Supportive.  A master mentor will have your best interests at heart and recognize that a mentoring relationship is about your development and not their legacy.  Consequently, they will be supportive of your goals, beliefs, and actions.  They will be an advocate for your growth.

Vision.  A master mentor understands career trajectories and has the ability to change your view of long-term career goals.  They can explain why it is important to pursue certain courses of action and avoid others in such a way that you can see how it will benefit your future.

Trustworthy.  Mentors are invaluable to both our professional and personal lives. They inspire us to take chances, which is why trust is a most important quality for a master mentor. Building trust is crucial as it creates a safe space for you to fail, discuss challenges, and receive critical, but necessary, feedback.

Challenge your opinions. A master mentor will challenge you to do and see things differently. Success is defined by the ability to constantly evolve and tackle new challenges. A master mentor will recognize the mental and emotional barriers holding you back and challenge you to rethink your debilitating beliefs.

As you seek to find a master mentor or mentors, use these characteristics to find a mentor best suited for you.  If you are mentoring someone else, perhaps adopting or adapting these characteristics will increase your mentoring effectiveness.  In next week’s blog, we will identify the career support strategies used by master mentors.

References

Allen, T., Eby, L., Poteet, M., Lentz, E., & Lima, L. (2004). Career Benefits Associated With Mentoring for Protégés: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 89(1), 127-136.