For many people, being a mentee doesn’t come naturally but if you’re serious about success, it’s absolutely essential to be one. Successful mentees are highly valued by their mentors and enjoy many advantages over those who don’t put in the effort.
Mentoring relationships require a bit of work and significant input from the mentee. If you want to excel as a mentee there are some things you need to learn how to do and others that just come naturally with time. Here are some tips on becoming a successful mentee.
Take Responsibility
While your mentor is there to guide you and provide you with the tools to succeed, you are the only one that can make it happen. Your mentor will give you advice, share his or her experience with you, and help keep you on track when needed but ultimately your success is in your hands.
Develop Trust
A mentoring relationship is a two-way street. Trust must be developed, nurtured and maintained. Trust can be built by being consistent, willing to learn, and remaining humble through it all. Having trust can open up a channel of communication, which is important to the success of your relationship.
Be Respectful
Respect is an important part of any relationship. You should have a healthy level of respect for your mentor, yourself, and the advice you receive.
Set Realistic Expectations
Being under the impression that your mentor will single-handedly help you become successful overnight is unrealistic. It’s important to be prepared for the journey ahead and keep yourself grounded in reality.
Come to Each Meeting Prepared
While this may seem obvious, so many people go into meetings without doing their research. A lot of mentoring work is done outside of the actual meeting so it’s important to be ready for when you do meet with your mentor. Before you meet with your mentor be ready to share your progress, updates and goals. You should also go in with an open mind and a willingness to learn something new.
Be Open About Your Needs and Goals
Your mentor should be someone that can help you meet your goals and develop as a person. There is nothing worse than an unwillingness to take any advice given. If you’re not looking to expand or grow then you don’t need a mentor right now. Let your mentor know what you want from the relationship and see if he or she is a good fit.
Provide Feedback
Mentoring can be unsuccessful if the relationship isn’t balanced properly. You should be open and honest about your feelings. If you’re not getting the guidance needed, tell your mentor. Not only will they appreciate the honesty, but they are then able to improve and come up with strategies that better suit your needs and goals.
Connect With Your Next Mentor
Ruffle Mentoring is a comprehensive online mentoring platform for mentees to connect with professional and trusted mentors all from the comfort of their own homes. This makes accessing the mentors you need, quick, easy and affordable. Visit their website and find the mentor that is right for you!
