6 CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD MENTOR

Striking up a mentoring relationship with somebody is a great way to show a commitment to your job and career and also help you succeed more quickly... quite possibly in ways you hadn’t imagined.

Depending upon your employer, you might have the opportunity to participate in a formal mentoring program.  Even if you don’t, you should consider seeking out a mentor, anyway.  Mentors can be a tremendous source of information and support, not to mention a catalyst for growth.

However, you shouldn’t seek a mentoring relationship from just anybody.  Remember, this is a person from whom you hope to learn and grow.

With that in mind, below are six characteristics of a good mentor:
They’re encouraging, especially in regards to continuous training and education.  Engaging in continuous training is probably one of the ways that the mentor reached a high level of achievement and put themselves in a position to be a mentor in the first place.  As such, they should be eager to share their passion for learning. 

They’re enthusiastic about what they do.  Nobody wants to be mentored by someone who is lackadaisical or indifferent.  Enthusiastic people make other people enthusiastic, and enthusiasm is absolutely a prerequisite for improvement.
 
They exhibit a positive attitude.  This is another intangible attribute that’s crucial to success, both overall and in a mentoring atmosphere.  Like enthusiasm, a positive attitude is “contagious.”  A good mentor will infuse their protégé with positive energy and optimism. 

They have different strengths than you.  A mentor should help to improve your areas of weakness, and that won’t happen if they’re weak in the same areas that you are.  Instead, find somebody who will counteract your weaknesses and help transform them into strengths. 

They’re a good listener.  A good mentor knows that they can learn as much from you as you can learn from them.  Not only that, but they should also be familiar with your goals, personality, background and beliefs if they are to provide the best mentoring relationship possible. 

They provide honest feedback.  A good mentor should encourage you, but not at the expense of providing you with the type of feedback that will help you to grow.  If you’re faltering in an area, they should point it out and offer constructive suggestions. 

One of the great things about mentoring relationships is that they can be formed in just about any employment situation.  While you might be apprehensive about approaching a potential mentor, don’t let that stop you.  They’ll probably be flattered.

Instead, draw upon the experience and expertise of those around you, and make a solid investment in your job, your career, and your future.