“Leaders aren’t born; they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal or any goal.” ~ Vince Lombardi.
This quote aptly sums up the making of a great leader – continuous self-improvement. While some leaders begin early and work their way to the top, others may not have that amount of time to devote to honing their leadership skills.
So, how do you begin grooming yourself as a leader of tomorrow? The answer lies in mentoring. It will provide you the right scaffold for developing you to be a natural leader, especially if you are taking lessons from someone who has been there and done that.
Here are some of the ways mentoring can shape you as a better leader:
- You Learn from Seeing Them in Action
The best mentors are also the best leaders. They are exceptional at what they do. For instance, they use behavioral skills to demonstrate how to effectively communicate with their subordinates, clients, and other leaders. They are also avid learners and lead disciplined lives. Even if you watch them from the sidelines, you have a lot to learn from them. Many times, you will find that mentors come from all walks of life and make it big in a totally different niche. Though you may not have the same career chart, but you can, of course, learn the ropes from them.
- You Learn from Doing
Being a mentee doesn’t mean you always have to sit on the fence and learn. It is also about being proactive. This, in essence, means that you participate in various activities and assignments that can help you achieve your career objectives. Mentors will also equip you with the best tools, technologies, and techniques that can help you in your journey. Additionally, they will lead by example and show you how to exercise your leadership skills in real-life situations. This works wonders for shaping you as a respected and acknowledged leader.
- You Get to Network
Building a network is one of the perks of having a mentor. By working in close quarters with your mentors, you may also get to network with their inner circle and the who’s who of the industry. Networking can also get you the opportunity to meet other leaders and potential mentors. The more you interact with different groups of people, the better it is going to help you in the long run. The best part is that all this will happen organically.
- You Can Establish Long-Term Relationships
Good mentors can be your guide for life. When you have a positive and healthy rapport with your mentor, you can leverage the relationship to bounce off business/career ideas, identify areas of improvement, get feedback on specific traits and skills, or just get simple guidance on how to handle situations at work.
- You Can Become a Mentor Later in Life
If you are one of those people who believe in giving back, then surely, you will also aim to become a mentor for other professionals looking for mentorship. When you watch your mentors closely in action, you can pick up a few lessons in mentorship from them as well. This will prepare you when you are ready to become a mentor yourself.
Make the Most of Your Mentoring Experience
While these facts establish the fact that mentoring can make you a great leader, here are some tips that can get the ball rolling:
- Know what your goals are
- Select the best person to mentor you
- Discuss your goals and expectations with them
- Be professional in your approach
- Learn how to receive and offer feedback
- Communicate effectively with direct and precise questions
Finding, interacting, and networking with mentors may seem like a daunting task. Fortunately,
makes it simple. The world’s first Enterprise Mentoring Platform lets you reach out to mentors and gain crucial feedback on specific areas through targeted database of questions, all kept private and secure. Take a free trial today at:
