Chapter Lead

Mentoring

Using the experience of others

Mentoring can be a really positive and rewarding experience for both the Mentor and Mentee. It’s with good reason that mentoring is a popular career-furthering strategy. As a Chapter Lead your focus should be developing your chapter to the best of your ability which should mean being a mentor when necessary but using your network and influence to provide your chapter with other mentors.  

What to look for when selecting a mentor…

Expertise

  • It’s not about finding someone with the most experience. It’s about finding a mentor with the knowledge and expertise to help you on your journey.

  • You want a mentor with enough experience to help you navigate your challenges, that has come through similar situations.

  • Questions to ask yourself…. What do you want to get better at? Who is better at it than you?

  • Should you have multiple mentors for different areas of development or interest?

Contrast

  • Am mentor helps you step outside your comfort zone, so this person should be a bit outside your comfort zone as well.

  • Coming from a different perspective and viewpoint can help your clarity and challenge your ideas.

Honesty and trust

  • You don’t have to know them prior, but you should be able to have an honest and confidential chat with a mentor and feel comfortable doing so.

  • If you’re honest with them they can provide honest feedback

  • It is possible to have a mutual benefit – but best mentors won’t expect anything back, they will want you to succeed.

Location

  • It is often far easier to meet face to face over a coffee to build a relationship, however as technology improves and we continue to work remotely this is not as important it used to be.

  • It can be easier to assess quickly whether you are compatible meeting in person.

Once you have someone in mind for you and/or your chapter members Click here to find out how to get the most out of that mentor