Great mentors will help you grow - so you can open doors and achieve

I crave mentorship – I’ve been called an “information junkie” by many folks over the years, and I find that having a mentor greatly improves not only what I learn and how I grow, but what I’m able to retain.

There is a lot of talk about Generation Y needing “constant praise and validation” like it’s a bad thing. Well, it’s not. It’s helpful to know what I’m doing right, as well as what I’m doing wrong. A good mentor knows this, and a great mentor does it automatically.

I am looking to continuously improve my work and so the general attitude in many workplaces of “if no one says anything, you’re doing fine” is not enough for me. I want a career – I want to excel, and if I don’t know in what areas I’m performing at adequate, inadequate or more than adequate levels, how could I possibly do this?

Finding mentors is a tricky thing, though. It’s not always the most obvious person – department head, boss, senior-level colleague, etc. and it’s not always a direct pairing. I have never had a job where I had an official “mentor” assigned to me…in fact, I’m not sure that approach would even be best for me.

What’s in a Mentor?

Most recently, my mentor was someone more senior than my boss and in a different department. He and I instantly connected with a similar approach to clients (direct, firm, thoughtful) and a love of informality and humor in the workplace. Having more than 10 years advertising experience than me, including a run on his own, made him a great resource for everything from industry-related trends to the right way to structure a client-facing document.

Initially, the relationship started with his open, constructive and honest critiques of my work. His approach was authentic, making me not only open to the feedback but actually wanting it and seeking it out. He also gave praise frequently for work he felt was on-point for our clients – which had the effect of teaching me to continue to perform at that level.

His positive feedback and praise also let me know how to make my good work even better. As this process continued, our mentor/mentee relationship grew – I began going to him for career and professional advice in addition to feedback on my work. Then, the advertising industry happened and he was let go. I’m more than disappointed – some days, I feel quite lost. He was a fantastic colleague, and through his guidance on career development, office politics and client work, he became a confidant and a friend. I missed him immediately and know I will continue to do so.

 Finding a “New” Mentor

Finding a new mentor is harder than just doing a "casting call"

First, let me say – this is really difficult! I’ve found my past mentors by going into each new job and observing. I observe the boss, who she knows, how she interacts with others and the team, her style and demeanor, and her openness to communication. I need to feel comfortable asking for feedback – which is where I believe the mentoring starts for the mentee.

But what about finding a new mentor at the same job? The people I work with know I considered him to be my mentor, and now he’s gone – would a “new” mentor feel like the #2 choice?

In general, I’ve gotten advice to find a new mentor, but again – I think these relationships must happen naturally. I suppose my course of action will be to take on new projects and begin working with different people in my office. The diversity of work, opportunities to explore solutions with new minds and discover chemistry with others will certainly be my best bet. Until I find my new mentor, though, I’ll miss Greg and will not forget all the things I learned from our time working together.