What to Look for in a Mentor

Ilene Gordon is the Chairman, President and CEO of Ingredion, a company that provides ingredients to food companies.  Recently, I read an interview in which she gave her three best pieces of career advice…

• International assignments put you on the fast track to success.
• Find a mentor who will push you out of your comfort zone.
• Always actively help the people you’ve let go find new careers. Executives I’ve let go are now my customers.

Three great pieces of career success advice.  But in this post, I want to focus on the importance of mentors.  In my talk on building self-confidence, I focus on the importance of mentors.  Mentors are positive people who are willing to give of themselves to help others move forward in their lives and careers.  I have been fortunate to have had several mentors in my life.  I write this blog as a way of giving back – and honoring those folks who have helped me so much in my life.

I have developed an acronym to help you find the right mentor for you.  Check it out.

A good mentor…

• Motivates you. Models positive behaviors.
• Energizes you. Engages with you.  Expects the best from you.
• Nurtures you. Never gives up on you.
• Teaches you what you need to know. Tells you the truth.
• Observes you in action. Occasionally kicks your butt.
• Reinforces what you do well. Redirects you when you get off the right path.

Look for these qualities when you’re searching for a mentor.  If you can find someone who has most of them, hold on to that person.  He or she will help you create the life and career success you want and deserve.

Your career mentor,

Bud

PS: I write this blog to help people create the life and career success they want and deserve. Now I’m going one step further. I’ve created a membership site in which I’ve pulled together my best thoughts on success. And, as a reader of this blog, you can become a member for free. Just go to https://budbilanich.com/join to claim your free membership. You’ll be joining a vibrant and growing community of success minded professionals. I hope to see you there.