Mentors, Models and Opportunities to Grow

I've had mentoring on my mind lately.

I am currently a mentor to four and I declined a request to be a mentor to another recently. I adore the mentees I am working with now and I don't have the time to devote to another quality mentor relationship. While a mentor will want to limit their mentoring relationships, a mentee will want to broaden theirs.  

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Here are a few I'd like to share with you about broadening the definition of a mentoring relationship, developing a portfolio of mentors and three mentors you need for career success.

How to Find a Mentor to Help You Go Further, Faster

The gem in this article is the suggestion that we broaden our definition of mentoring to include blog, podcasts, conferences and coaches. "Instead of focusing on what you don’t have—a one-on-one, traditional mentoring relationship—focus on what you do have: more opportunities than ever before in history to learn and grow."

 Mentorship 2.0: How to find the Mentor you Need

The idea that caught my attention is the "reality that most mentors don’t come from central casting. You’re probably not going to find your own 'Rich Dad' whose hobby is guiding you through life lessons and dispensing sage advice . . .Think, instead, about developing a portfolio of mentors."

Mentorship Trifecta - Why You Need 3 Mentors for Career Success

In introducing three types of mentors, the author encourages, "You are the initiator and the owner of your mentor relationships, whether or not you have them, who they are, and what you do with them. You drive the 'asks' made of them– and the more specific you can be, the better."

The model may be changing but the need for leaders to share, encourage and guide others while developing themselves still exists. Mentoring is an opportunity to give back. Here is a final article on Seven Ways To Be an Effective Mentor.  

Do you mentor? Why? Why not?