Mentoring Program Invitation
Your Mentor
James Harnsberger
It is my firm belief that a “Mentoring” relationship (as opposed to a coaching relationship) is one that enriches the life of both the Mentor as well the Mentee. In my Mentoring support I follow a few basic principals that were employed in 1982 when I had my first Mentor.
The 3 Principles Of Mentoring Success!
- Principal #1 – Be clear on the scope of Mentoring.
- Principal #2 – Have accountability and measurements of success.
- Principal #3 – Be willing to accept that as you grow in your development, new Mentors will likely be more suitable for your growth.
A mentorship is not just about being told what to do or getting advice about one difficult decision or subject. It is a journey of experience, support, self assessment and responsibility. Holding yourself accountable to a new standard of performance that is in your best interest.
When I entered the “tax industry” in 1982 I went to work to secure a mentor for myself and future. I made what later became the best deal of my life, and forged an opportunity for 24 months to learn everything I possibly could about doing tax work. From meeting with clients, to how to figure out filling out various forms (we did not have software back in the day) to hiring employees and charging a fee.
All of this was important information that I needed in order to plan several steps ahead in my future—and my mentor had the experience and foresight to help steer me in the right direction. Not only that, but knowing where I needed to go in the future and that I had someone helping me get there was highly motivational.
How to Choose a Good Mentor
Many offices have their own formal systems to identify mentors for their employees and to facilitate a strong mentoring relationship. However, if you are building a mentorship on your own, there are several places you might go to seek a mentor.
You can start by joining an informal professional network (for example, finding a group with similar interests and experiences through Facebook or Meetup). Or, you can join a formal professional association (which might involve paying fees and attending regulated events).
If you attended college, you can likely reach out to your school’s alumni network to see if former graduates have had success in your field. Then, reach out to see if they are willing to help you improve your skills and seek new opportunities.
Regardless of where you find them, the most important thing is to choose the right person. Do you know what to look for?
From my experience, a good mentor must possess the following characteristics:
- Extensive experience in a related or relevant field
- Similar educational background
- Has overcome relatable challenges
- Friendly and genuine personality
- Credible and trustworthy character
- Must not feel threatened by empowering others
- Favorably disposed to flexible mentoring styles
- Open to learning from the mentee
Overall, you will know what feels right when you have met a good match. You must feel comfortable with your mentor. You should feel like they have a lot to offer you that is directly related to your field of work. If this is not true within the first few times you meet, it is perfectly acceptable to end the mentorship. Remember: It’s not a failure to move on and seek someone new.
You may want to request a meetup or interview before formally accepting a mentorship arrangement. Here is an important note, though: Keep in mind that both of you will be getting to know one another during this meetup, and both of you will be accepting your roles—not just you accepting them. Prepare to answer questions about your background and expectations, and try to make a good impression. I offer phone, Video conference (Google Meet), In-Person meetings. Or any combination of all three that are designed to meet your objectives.
How to Make Your Mentorship Successful
Mentoring requires a lot of effort and preparation. It takes time, patience, and commitment.
But so does growing in your career or business. Success always requires determination and perseverance. So don’t give up!
Never be afraid to seek out a mentorship—even if you aren’t sure how to get started, or your first attempts don’t work out the way that you might have hoped.
Remember, you will only get out of this what you put into it. Your mentor can only take you part of the way; the other half of this requires effort from the mentee.
As the mentee, you must have a clear objective that is specific and measurable. It is not your mentor’s job to help you discover what you are hoping to gain from the experience. Then, you must be willing and eager to learn. If you are closed off, you will not be able to grow through the experience. Your mentor will not be able to solve that on their own.
Mentorship is a two-way process. But if it works the way that it is meant to, both the mentor and the mentee will benefit from the experience.
One day, you might use this experience to mentor someone who is in the same position you are in now. It is important to pass along the lessons you have learned to others, as your mentor has with you. That is how you will continue to benefit and grow from this important relationship—for the rest of your life.
My mentoring programs provide for a six week in-depth experience of hands on assignments, reviews, defining objectives, overcoming obstacles, and developing the confidence you already possess to reach the outcomes you desire.
It has been my experience that six weeks on ANY given initiative is about the max you want to devote especially in mentoring. This basic program calls for a once weekly meeting to discuss progress, assess strengths and weakness, review new ideas and seek out critical flaws that may not be easily seen for example in growing the business.
Other programs can involve twice or not more than three times per week mentoring support, however I do not accept those assignments unless a person as completed at least two six week mentoring sessions first with the once per week. I find that too much, too fast will not succeed for the mentee or the mentor. The value is not in the fee, the value is in the retention and application of what you experience in the mentoring relationship.
