One way to break into a chosen field or learn more about a career path is to find someone that has walked in the same path and gained success. Working with an experienced person will increase your chances at succeeding, but that doesn’t mean you should jump haphazardly into any coaching / mentoring relationship. Choosing a mentor is not a difficult task, platforms like Ablaze Network makes the search for a mentor/coach easier.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a mentor:

1. EXPECTATIONS: Ensure that you clearly define what you are looking for in the relationship between you and your prospective coach/mentor.
This means you should have an idea of how much time you would like to spend with your prospective coach/mentor and what activities you would like to partake in.  Answer questions like – how often do you want to shadow them? Would you like to engage them with issues outside their professional setting? These and more are the types of activities that you should inquire about before committing to a specific person. Be explicit in your expectations so that you and your potential mentor are on the same page.

2. PERSONALITY: This is also a factor to consider when choosing a mentor. Example:  If you’re an introvert and your mentor is the opposite, you might find it a little tricky, so I recommended that you look for someone more extroverted so that you can emulate some of these qualities. You will need to define this for yourself before you seek out a mentor that possesses these attributes.

3. VALUES: It is essential for your personal values to align with that of the person you are looking toward as a potential coach/mentor. Someone with values that align or similar to yours will lead to a better relationship. However, it is helpful that you must know what your core values are and what they mean to you. For instance, – Do you believe in work/life priorities? Do you value family more than a career? Perhaps someone who works really long hours a week might not be a great fit as your coach/mentor. You will learn better from someone whose values reflect yours.

4. INSPIRING OR CHALLENGING: Your prospective coach/mentor should really inspire or challenge you positively. You will probably not learn anything new if a coach/mentor does not get you to consider new perspectives. Your coach/mentor should share a wide range of philosophies with you, consider the person’s ability to create ideas. You want someone who can share a similar thread of experience with you.

5. COMMUNICATION:  Lots of people are successful in their chosen field but lack the skills to articulate what they have done to get there. Your coach/mentor will be able to communicate in a manner that is easy for you to understand. Communication cannot be overstated in relating with a mentor because it’s the bedrock on which every other thing stand. Review points like: Does this person articulate ideas quickly? How do they communicate with others within their sphere of influence? I suggest you pay attention to the communication factor because your mentor should communicate with you effectively, and besides because of the interaction, you become a better communicator.

Choosing the wrong mentor can set back your career instead of fast-tracking it. Be deliberate and strategic about what you need to learn, making sure your styles complement each other. Choosing the right mentor can be the best career decision you’ll ever make.

Ablaze Network has introduced a platform for coaches and mentors to publish their schedules so that prospective mentees can book time and have a call with their preferred coach/mentor on the platform. If you are a coach/mentor, head over and create your profile.

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