- \n
- Employees with mentors were promoted 5 times more<\/strong> often <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mentors were 6 times more<\/strong> likely to have been promoted as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
(While we\u2019re focusing today on finding mentors, and why you need one, this second item shows how being a mentor is powerful, too!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s not all - 70% of Fortune 500 companies say they have a mentoring program<\/a>, and 67% of companies in a survey published by National Mentoring day reported an increase in productivity<\/a> due to mentoring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, great mentors can be tricky to find. That\u2019s because they have to be a good match for you in terms of your skill set, character, and both of your availability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In today\u2019s post, we\u2019ll teach you where to look for a mentor, how to approach them, and what you can expect from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/pexels-christina-morillo-1181722-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEverything You Need to Know About Finding a Mentor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This post is divided into five sections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Defining the role of a mentor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Where to find a mentor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Three qualities to look for in a mentor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to approach a mentor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bonus tips for making the most of the mentor-mentee relationship<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s jump right in and go over some of the basics of finding a great mentor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pexels-edmond-dante\u0300s-4339910-1024x682.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat does a mentor do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The role of a mentor covers several key areas, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1) Understanding which skills you need to succeed as a leader and how to build them. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As you advance in your career as a leader, you need to continually learn and build new skills. And even if you\u2019re a highly enthusiastic reader<\/a> and learner, there are some things that are best taught through experience and expert insight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These can include things like soft skills such as getting buy-in<\/a> for your ideas, having truly meaningful 1:1s<\/a>, and being a better listener<\/a>. Your mentor can teach you a lot about these skills and point out untapped ways to get better at them they\u2019ve learned through their own experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They can also give you a key outlet and be a trusted confidant you don't have to worry about politics with.
For really tough situations, it can really help to have an outsider\u2019s perspective. They can give you an objective opinion about the situation and what to do about it. This can be really helpful, whether to tell you you\u2019re overreacting, or that dramatic action should be taken (or anything in between).
Because they\u2019re likely not in your company (or at least not in your direct reporting structure), they won\u2019t be influenced by the politics in your company and aren\u2019t motivated to sway you or skew your opinion one way or the other. It\u2019s why even the most senior of leaders embraced having mentors: Mark Zuckerberg spent a lot of time with Steve Jobs,<\/a> and Bill Gates met with Warren Buffet<\/a> regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2) Helping you solve specific problems you're dealing with. <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another great part of finding an experienced mentor is that they\u2019ve overcome many of the challenges you\u2019re facing now. They will very likely be able to share ideas on things like handling inter-team conflicts, motivating your team in a crisis<\/a>, turning around underperformers, and many other similar issues you face as a leader.
Crucially, they\u2019ll be able to share real-life examples<\/strong> from their own career and those of their friends that are relevant to your situation. Because they\u2019re further in their career, they can give you the gift of foresight as you chart a path in your career.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUnfortunately, finding all of this in one person is rare. Even if you work at a relatively big company, there's a chance you won't find a close enough fit for your needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why it\u2019s often beneficial to have multiple mentors you build a strong relationship with. This gives you a diversity of opinions, and avoids taxing one person with too many or too frequent of questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, if you are going to seek out multiples mentors, it makes knowing where to look all the more important. Here are some suggestions on how you can get started finding a mentor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"how](\"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/pexels-evg-kowalievska-1174775-1024x682.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere can you find a mentor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you work at a large company (10,000+ employees), a good place to start looking for a mentor is your own company<\/strong>. If that\u2019s the case, you can start by asking your manager and\/or HR business partner if there is a mentorship program<\/strong>, and how you can participate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, smaller companies usually don\u2019t have mentorship programs, due to their size, and other priorities for small HR departments. It\u2019s also a lot harder to find a mentor inside your own company if the reporting structure is small enough that a mentor wouldn\u2019t truly be removed from your work; a key benefit of a good mentor is them being an outside perspective after all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want a mentor outside your company, or work at a small one so you have to find one outside, start by turning to your network<\/strong> to find someone. Directly ask someone if you know they\u2019d fit, or ask some in your network to help in your search. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, many of us aren't lucky enough to find the perfect mentor within our own company or network. Luckily, there are a few other places you can include as part of your search:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Industry Groups<\/strong>: No matter what your background is, there\u2019s an association or community related to your work you could join in search of a mentor. You can attend their conferences and events, or contact them directly to ask for a recommendation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Slack Communities, Facebook groups, or Reddit<\/strong>: Many online communities are worth scouting for potential mentors. Slack Communities, closed groups on Facebook, and niche sub-reddits all offer a place to exchange ideas with people from your industry, discuss common topics, and get feedback and tips about your career. To find a mentor in one of these places, you can start a post or a thread, ask some questions, or contact active members directly seeking advice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Linkedin<\/strong>: Another good idea is to go through your connections on Linkedin. You may find someone you've not talked to in a while who can help. Alternatively, you can take advantage of one of Linkedin\u2019s biggest strengths - showing you people your friends may know and could then potentially introduce you to. You can also use search filters and look for experts based on their job title or skillset. Once you find them, try messaging them to see if they\u2019re a match for you in the long term, or ask a friend a degree away for an introduction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Twitter<\/strong>: Although it\u2019s probably not the first place you\u2019d think of when looking for a mentor, there\u2019s a lot of great professional advice you can find on Twitter. People there tend to respond to @ replies and DM\u2019s more than on other platforms. Many of our team members scheduled useful calls and had productive discussions thanks to Twitter. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Clarity<\/strong>: Clarity.fm<\/a> is a community of experts from various professions you can schedule calls with and ask questions. Unlike the other free options we\u2019ve covered so far, this is a paid source. On Clarity, each expert has their per-minute rate, and you can make your choice based on the skills that you\u2019re looking for. If you\u2019re worried about the price, consider asking your manager to help cover the cost. Often, if you\u2019re engaging them regularly, they\u2019ll be open to a discounted price, especially if your company makes payment simple. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Luke-warm emails<\/strong>: Have you ever seen a blog with the owner\u2019s email address in the footer or About page? You\u2019d be surprised by how many people actually respond to emails if you reference something of theirs you\u2019ve read. If you think they are a fit for being your mentor, prepare some questions and start your relationship with them. If you don\u2019t succeed because they\u2019re too busy, you can always ask them to introduce you to another person who could help you grow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
When searching for a mentor, persistence pays off. If you keep searching these sources, as well as interacting with colleagues, connections, and active community members, you\u2019ll have a much higher chance of finding the perfect mentor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, even if someone seems like a great fit in terms of their skill set, role, and experience, there are still more you should consider before engaging them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/pexels-anna-tarazevich-5697261-1024x683.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3 things to look for in your mentor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The first thing you want to do when talking to a potential mentor is make sure they aren\u2019t too many steps ahead of you. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, the CEO of Pepsi isn\u2019t going to be able to help a brand new manager or even a mid-level leader all that much. That\u2019s because CEOs (especially at large corporations) lack perspective on the day to day challenges mid-level managers face. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To avoid that issue, go for someone who\u2019s a couple steps ahead of you, but still remembers what it was like at your current career stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your mentors also need to be able to meet with you at a regular frequency. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most mentoring relationships involve meeting about once a month. The typical exception being if you\u2019re working through a crisis or big challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, for some people, often due to major challenges or life changes personally or professionally, that\u2019s still too much time to dedicate to mentoring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if they don\u2019t have time to meet, they can\u2019t be much of a mentor for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is also why them being within a couple of steps ahead of you in their career can help. Especially early on, they probably have fewer people asking them for advice than a famous founder or executive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later, as you rise in your career, you\u2019re more likely to understand what someone a step or two ahead of you may have for a life and how to work around their schedule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, and quite importantly, your mentor needs to have a career path you want to emulate. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you want to be a software architect, don\u2019t choose a VP of Engineering who spends most of their time being a people manager. If you want to transition from customer success to sales, then finding someone who has already successfully made that leap will be more helpful than someone who has not. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can see someone\u2019s path pretty easily: Either check their LinkedIn, or directly ask them. Being specific in your search can also help others help you find the right person; when you\u2019re specific about what you need, everyone is more likely to think of the perfect fit for you than guessing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you find someone who\u2019s a great candidate, you need a plan to approach them - we\u2019ll be discussing that in the next section.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"there](\"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/pexels-olya-kobruseva-5428836-1024x684.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nHow to ask someone to be your mentor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Finding a mentor is a simple process, but one that you shouldn\u2019t rush into. We recommend following this relatively straightforward pattern to kick off your partnership with a mentor, and ensuring it\u2019s a great, mutual fit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Set up a first call or coffee meeting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- See how the first meeting goes, review what you\u2019ve learned, and set action items for next time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Make sure you do what you say you would. If your potential mentor does, too, that\u2019s a great sign.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Follow up and schedule another call\/check-in if there's a reason to keep talking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If the second meeting goes well, discuss how you can formalize and continue the relationship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
By having 2 meetings before you formally ask them to be your mentor, it gives you both a chance to test things out. In these meetings you can see if your personalities mesh, their advice makes sense to you, and if you feel they can continue to add value for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you follow these steps, you\u2019ll be on your way to getting the most out of your mentor\u2019s experience and accelerating your career growth. But before we close, there\u2019s a few more things you should keep in mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"dilber](\"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Screenshot_2.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBonus Tips: What You Should Know About the Mentor-Mentee <\/strong>Relationship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are a few other things you should know about choosing a mentor and building a relationship with them that\u2019s beneficial for you, and respectful of their time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Try before you buy: <\/strong>Meet a couple of times and confirm they continue to be helpful and you get along well. This also avoids an awkward conversation where you\u2019re asking them to be a mentor before you\u2019ve met (which is like asking someone to marry you on the first date).
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Get multiple perspectives:<\/strong> While it can be very helpful to have a primary contact that helps you, it\u2019s very beneficial for you to get multiple views and opinions when you\u2019re making big decisions. Avoid over-relying on one person for everything.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Only stick with someone if it\u2019s working. <\/strong>It\u2019s okay to switch mentors or transition away from someone if it\u2019s not working. This is why it\u2019s beneficial to have multiple mentors you can turn to for different needs.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Respect their time:<\/strong> Only schedule meetings if you have something to talk about. It also shouldn\u2019t be up to your mentor to pull an agenda and topics out of you. Wasting their time is a sure-fire way to have a mentor ask to discontinue meeting with you.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Follow up and follow through: <\/strong>Nothing frustrates a mentor or coach like having to give the same advice over and over and seeing no change. Make sure you take notes, and follow their advice. And you really score points with them if you follow up and let them know how things turned out.
<\/li>\n\n\n\n- Be grateful: <\/strong>This person is likely giving you their time for free, so be sure to thank them. A gift on their birthday, your anniversary working together, or around the holidays can mean a lot to them, especially if you make it thoughtful<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
By following these 6 tips, you\u2019ll ensure you\u2019re getting what you need from the relationship and show your mentor how much you value their time and advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Finding a mentor is rarely easy, but it is absolutely worth the effort and time you put into it. It allows you to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Learn about the different skills<\/strong> you need to keep growing as a leader, including navigating challenges that are best taught through experience<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Confide in someone<\/strong> who\u2019s not involved in company politics and can help you deal with sensitive issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Offer real-life examples<\/strong> of how to solve specific challenges you\u2019re dealing with<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Help you expand your professional network<\/strong>, identify great career opportunities, and much more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getlighthouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Banner_5_busy_managers-1024x379.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
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- Confide in someone<\/strong> who\u2019s not involved in company politics and can help you deal with sensitive issues<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Get multiple perspectives:<\/strong> While it can be very helpful to have a primary contact that helps you, it\u2019s very beneficial for you to get multiple views and opinions when you\u2019re making big decisions. Avoid over-relying on one person for everything.
- Try before you buy: <\/strong>Meet a couple of times and confirm they continue to be helpful and you get along well. This also avoids an awkward conversation where you\u2019re asking them to be a mentor before you\u2019ve met (which is like asking someone to marry you on the first date).
- Luke-warm emails<\/strong>: Have you ever seen a blog with the owner\u2019s email address in the footer or About page? You\u2019d be surprised by how many people actually respond to emails if you reference something of theirs you\u2019ve read. If you think they are a fit for being your mentor, prepare some questions and start your relationship with them. If you don\u2019t succeed because they\u2019re too busy, you can always ask them to introduce you to another person who could help you grow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Clarity<\/strong>: Clarity.fm<\/a> is a community of experts from various professions you can schedule calls with and ask questions. Unlike the other free options we\u2019ve covered so far, this is a paid source. On Clarity, each expert has their per-minute rate, and you can make your choice based on the skills that you\u2019re looking for. If you\u2019re worried about the price, consider asking your manager to help cover the cost. Often, if you\u2019re engaging them regularly, they\u2019ll be open to a discounted price, especially if your company makes payment simple. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Twitter<\/strong>: Although it\u2019s probably not the first place you\u2019d think of when looking for a mentor, there\u2019s a lot of great professional advice you can find on Twitter. People there tend to respond to @ replies and DM\u2019s more than on other platforms. Many of our team members scheduled useful calls and had productive discussions thanks to Twitter. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Linkedin<\/strong>: Another good idea is to go through your connections on Linkedin. You may find someone you've not talked to in a while who can help. Alternatively, you can take advantage of one of Linkedin\u2019s biggest strengths - showing you people your friends may know and could then potentially introduce you to. You can also use search filters and look for experts based on their job title or skillset. Once you find them, try messaging them to see if they\u2019re a match for you in the long term, or ask a friend a degree away for an introduction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Slack Communities, Facebook groups, or Reddit<\/strong>: Many online communities are worth scouting for potential mentors. Slack Communities, closed groups on Facebook, and niche sub-reddits all offer a place to exchange ideas with people from your industry, discuss common topics, and get feedback and tips about your career. To find a mentor in one of these places, you can start a post or a thread, ask some questions, or contact active members directly seeking advice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Where to find a mentor<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Mentors were 6 times more<\/strong> likely to have been promoted as well.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n