Comments on: Three Tips to Get the Most Out of a Mentor http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/ Business is Human. Relationships Power Growth. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:06:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Michael http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/comment-page-1/#comment-21094 Michael Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:55:17 +0000 http://www.keithferrazzi.com/?p=4121#comment-21094 I would have to agree with the last point. I am in constant contact with my mentor far after our session has completed. He has been a pillar in my success and I strongly believe that it's because of our constant communication. M I would have to agree with the last point. I am in constant contact with my mentor far after our session has completed. He has been a pillar in my success and I strongly believe that it's because of our constant communication.

M

]]> By: The Problem with Great Mentors http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/comment-page-1/#comment-6666 The Problem with Great Mentors Fri, 21 May 2010 18:46:37 +0000 http://www.keithferrazzi.com/?p=4121#comment-6666 [...] for you to make sure you build structure around the mentor/mentee relationship that includes clearly defined expectations on the frequency and nature of your [...] [...] for you to make sure you build structure around the mentor/mentee relationship that includes clearly defined expectations on the frequency and nature of your [...]

]]> By: Bob Harrell http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/comment-page-1/#comment-5527 Bob Harrell Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:00:51 +0000 http://www.keithferrazzi.com/?p=4121#comment-5527 Meghna- great insights and great post! I agree with your insights and suggestions, and would emphasize the importance of vulnerability in approaching/working with a mentor. In addition, some points from Keith's points also apply here: - do your homework, both with regard to learning about your mentor in advance (to whatever extent possible you can collect information on their background, interests, worldview) and preparing in advance for conversations you have with them (eg, key questions you want to ask, ideas or situations you want to talk through to get advice on) - consider what value-add you can provide to them. Reciprocity is not limited to peers or personal relationships. If you think hard, there are ways you can bring value to your mentor(s), even if they are much older than you, more financially established, or better connected. A few examples: you may know a contact or resource they would benefit from being introduced to, they may be struggling with a different area of their life (eg, health/fitness or relationships) where you can offer good ideas/support, or even something as simple as sharing some interesting food or music from your experiences that they may not have had access to otherwise. Thanks for the insights, Meghna, and I look forward to seeing more guest posts from you in the future! :) Meghna- great insights and great post! I agree with your insights and suggestions, and would emphasize the importance of vulnerability in approaching/working with a mentor. In addition, some points from Keith's points also apply here:
- do your homework, both with regard to learning about your mentor in advance (to whatever extent possible you can collect information on their background, interests, worldview) and preparing in advance for conversations you have with them (eg, key questions you want to ask, ideas or situations you want to talk through to get advice on)
- consider what value-add you can provide to them. Reciprocity is not limited to peers or personal relationships. If you think hard, there are ways you can bring value to your mentor(s), even if they are much older than you, more financially established, or better connected. A few examples: you may know a contact or resource they would benefit from being introduced to, they may be struggling with a different area of their life (eg, health/fitness or relationships) where you can offer good ideas/support, or even something as simple as sharing some interesting food or music from your experiences that they may not have had access to otherwise.

Thanks for the insights, Meghna, and I look forward to seeing more guest posts from you in the future! :)

]]> By: Meghna http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/comment-page-1/#comment-5525 Meghna Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:50:39 +0000 http://www.keithferrazzi.com/?p=4121#comment-5525 Brad - I am slowly transitioning into the phase of being a mentor as well, and sometimes it is a little shocking when people don't do their homework or do the legwork to determine what they really want. I'm starting to treat some of my mentors as peers and friends, and it's so energizing! Brad - I am slowly transitioning into the phase of being a mentor as well, and sometimes it is a little shocking when people don't do their homework or do the legwork to determine what they really want. I'm starting to treat some of my mentors as peers and friends, and it's so energizing!

]]> By: Meghna http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/comment-page-1/#comment-5524 Meghna Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:47:31 +0000 http://www.keithferrazzi.com/?p=4121#comment-5524 Hi Joe - totally agree. When you are thoughtful and energetic - that is very attractive to a mentor and definitely gets them more interested in helping you Hi Joe - totally agree. When you are thoughtful and energetic - that is very attractive to a mentor and definitely gets them more interested in helping you

]]> By: Brad Gosse http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/comment-page-1/#comment-5523 Brad Gosse Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:37:21 +0000 http://www.keithferrazzi.com/?p=4121#comment-5523 Meghna This is some great advice. I am usually the one doing the mentoring. Very often I am presented with the general help request that is not specific. It is much easier for me to help you solve problems that are specific than it is to just give you a plan that you may not want to follow. It's also important to be invested in your mentor as much as they are invested in you. This could be something as simple as commenting on their blog :-) or retweeting messages once in a while. It could be as demanding as helping them organize events. Either way, those people get more of my attention than the ones who just show up when they need help :-) Meghna

This is some great advice.

I am usually the one doing the mentoring. Very often I am presented with the general help request that is not specific. It is much easier for me to help you solve problems that are specific than it is to just give you a plan that you may not want to follow.

It's also important to be invested in your mentor as much as they are invested in you. This could be something as simple as commenting on their blog :-) or retweeting messages once in a while. It could be as demanding as helping them organize events. Either way, those people get more of my attention than the ones who just show up when they need help :-)

]]> By: Jonathan Hilley http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/comment-page-1/#comment-5522 Jonathan Hilley Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:03:17 +0000 http://www.keithferrazzi.com/?p=4121#comment-5522 There's an old quote I remember: "The path to the correct conclusion begins with asking the correct questions." This applies equally to mentorship. Getting the most out of a mentor relationship requires the protege to be armed with the right questions. Start there and you will be amazed at how far it gets you. Kind Regards, Jonathan Hilley There's an old quote I remember:

"The path to the correct conclusion begins with asking the correct questions."

This applies equally to mentorship. Getting the most out of a mentor relationship requires the protege to be armed with the right questions. Start there and you will be amazed at how far it gets you.

Kind Regards,

Jonathan Hilley

]]> By: Joe Stampone http://www.keithferrazzi.com/coaching/three-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-a-mentor/comment-page-1/#comment-5521 Joe Stampone Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:55:28 +0000 http://www.keithferrazzi.com/?p=4121#comment-5521 Meghna, thanks for sharing your experience with mentors. As a young person entering the vast field of commercial real estate, I've found that having a great mentor is critical to success. One tip I've learned is that you have to show your passion towards your field which will justify your mentors help. You don't want to your mentor to feel as though you're wasting his time. Therefore, preparation and general curiosity towards a given career is a necessity. Meghna, thanks for sharing your experience with mentors. As a young person entering the vast field of commercial real estate, I've found that having a great mentor is critical to success.

One tip I've learned is that you have to show your passion towards your field which will justify your mentors help. You don't want to your mentor to feel as though you're wasting his time. Therefore, preparation and general curiosity towards a given career is a necessity.

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