I have had a very interesting journey with Mentoring in my life. From
my school days, through my college days and even today I have been
privileged to have a number of good mentors. My father, private tutors,
college buddies and corporate colleagues are just some of them. They
have not only taught me what is important for me, but have also helped
me through my journey of self-discovery.
Now-a-days, because of social media and in my quest to unlock the true human potential, I have been exposed to the best possible mentors available today. As of now, I have one mentor whom I know personally and three virtual mentors whom I interact with through social media.
My mentors have played a significant role in making me who I am today and helping in what I have achieved till now. They impact my thinking, help me in forming the right work habits, guide me in taking appropriate decisions, keeping long term perspective in mind.
Interestingly, I have always been bombarded by questions around Mentors by so many of my friends, colleagues, students. Some of the common statements/queries are:
First, let me share a few examples throughout history about great people who found the right mentor for themselves:
a) Subject Matter Expert Mentors (specialises in your job/field) – These mentors can guide you in doing your job better and can help you build a solid foundation for your career.
b) Life Coach Mentors – These mentors can help you live a fulfilling life. They can coach you on the meaning of life and how to live it fully.
c) Industry Mentors – These mentors can guide you in making right decisions about your specific industries, how to manage your career in these industries, how to upgrade your self in keeping up with the changes any industry is facing etc.
d) Technology Mentors – These mentors can help by training you directly or may suggest you to get trainings in your current jobs and can also suggest you futuristic trainings around technology.
You must also look for following competencies in your mentor:
Let me demystify the process of finding the most appropriate mentor for yourself:
# 1st Step - Stop Getting Scared – Don’t be scared to get a mentor for yourself. Be bold, be fearless and be demanding of yourself. To achieve the extraordinary, you need to step out of your comfort zone. If you don’t find your mentor to be helpful, do not pursue that path. Find a new mentor.
# 2nd Step - Identify the Right Mentor specialist – Talk to yourself, write it down and analyse which skill set/competency you want to strengthen, where you would need help from the mentor.
# 3rd Step - Search – Search with abundant mentality. Search everywhere, talk to people, connect with your connection’s contacts, google about your specialist.
# 4th Step - Approach – Identify at least 2 mentors and approach both of them together. Book a meeting, talk to them about your expectations, why you need him/her, ask if he/she is ready to become your mentor, discuss all the important terms and conditions. You must discuss each and every point.
The ultimate benefit of having a mentor would be that your mentor would keep you focused on your goals. Mentors are disciplinarians and will create the necessary boundaries which we cannot set for ourselves. He/she will not allow you to get distracted and be off course.
In Mark Zuckerberg’s own words: “Bill Gates has always been a mentor and inspiration for me even before I knew him. Growing up, I admired how Microsoft was mission-focused”.
Live a Focused Life.
Live a Great Life.
Love & Respect
Nikhil Singh
NDIM
India Centre for Global Excellence
International Skills Centre India
Think HR India
Source - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fast-track-your-success-through-right-mentor-nikhil-singh/
Now-a-days, because of social media and in my quest to unlock the true human potential, I have been exposed to the best possible mentors available today. As of now, I have one mentor whom I know personally and three virtual mentors whom I interact with through social media.
My mentors have played a significant role in making me who I am today and helping in what I have achieved till now. They impact my thinking, help me in forming the right work habits, guide me in taking appropriate decisions, keeping long term perspective in mind.
Interestingly, I have always been bombarded by questions around Mentors by so many of my friends, colleagues, students. Some of the common statements/queries are:
- Do I need a mentor in my life?
- What will be the role of a Mentor?
- I can’t trust anyone/I can’t share my personal life with anyone but I need a mentor. What should I do?
- How to find a mentor?
- I don’t share everything with my mom/dad, how can I share it with a stranger?
First, let me share a few examples throughout history about great people who found the right mentor for themselves:
- Oprah Winfrey of ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ fame was mentored by celebrated author and poet, the late Maya Angelou.
- Former Apple Inc. CEO the late Steve Jobs served as a mentor to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
- Fashion designer Christian Dior mentored fellow haute couture designer Yves St. Laurent.
- Mother Teresa led a remarkable and revered life, but may not have achieved all that she did if it weren’t for her mentor, Father Michael van der Peet.
- Vikram Sarabhai was the mentor to one of the legend from India Hon’able ex-President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
- Arjuna and Karna both were great warriors but Arjuna had Lord Krishna as mentor. Rest is very well known history.
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale was Mahatama Gandhi’s mentor.
a) Subject Matter Expert Mentors (specialises in your job/field) – These mentors can guide you in doing your job better and can help you build a solid foundation for your career.
b) Life Coach Mentors – These mentors can help you live a fulfilling life. They can coach you on the meaning of life and how to live it fully.
c) Industry Mentors – These mentors can guide you in making right decisions about your specific industries, how to manage your career in these industries, how to upgrade your self in keeping up with the changes any industry is facing etc.
d) Technology Mentors – These mentors can help by training you directly or may suggest you to get trainings in your current jobs and can also suggest you futuristic trainings around technology.
You must also look for following competencies in your mentor:
- Energetic
- Passionate
- Good listener
- Ready to help you
Let me demystify the process of finding the most appropriate mentor for yourself:
# 1st Step - Stop Getting Scared – Don’t be scared to get a mentor for yourself. Be bold, be fearless and be demanding of yourself. To achieve the extraordinary, you need to step out of your comfort zone. If you don’t find your mentor to be helpful, do not pursue that path. Find a new mentor.
# 2nd Step - Identify the Right Mentor specialist – Talk to yourself, write it down and analyse which skill set/competency you want to strengthen, where you would need help from the mentor.
# 3rd Step - Search – Search with abundant mentality. Search everywhere, talk to people, connect with your connection’s contacts, google about your specialist.
# 4th Step - Approach – Identify at least 2 mentors and approach both of them together. Book a meeting, talk to them about your expectations, why you need him/her, ask if he/she is ready to become your mentor, discuss all the important terms and conditions. You must discuss each and every point.
The ultimate benefit of having a mentor would be that your mentor would keep you focused on your goals. Mentors are disciplinarians and will create the necessary boundaries which we cannot set for ourselves. He/she will not allow you to get distracted and be off course.
In Mark Zuckerberg’s own words: “Bill Gates has always been a mentor and inspiration for me even before I knew him. Growing up, I admired how Microsoft was mission-focused”.
Live a Focused Life.
Live a Great Life.
Love & Respect
Nikhil Singh
NDIM
India Centre for Global Excellence
International Skills Centre India
Think HR India
Source - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fast-track-your-success-through-right-mentor-nikhil-singh/
Thank you, Nikhil for a wider insight on mentorship , amazing article on how to find the right mentor to nurture our success ladder. If you find the right mentor I guess half of the problem is solved they help us to develop in many areas of life. One of my mentors guided me while I was searching for coaching for the preparation of my UPSC Exam, she helped me and I was able to find out the top IAS coaching in Chennai to crack my exam.
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