Mentors are seasoned, successful professionals who leverage their experience

to share learnings and perspectives, which impact your career and life in

general. These can be on existing issues or those that could impact you in the

future!

I never had mentors most part of my Corporate life. I had good Supervisors and

external personalities whom I really admired and was inspired by them. Most

organisations didn’t have a formalised ‘mentoring’ programme back then

anyway! And unless two people establish a relationship as a ‘mentoring

relationship’ it is not actually one!

When I left India for Singapore in 2010, I for the first time met someone who

became my mentor over a period of time. I trust her and have immense

respect for her professionally and personally. Her views and perspectives on a

whole range of issues matter a lot to me. I don’t feel judged and I like her

concern for things in my life. She in turn found in me a good resource and we

did many a gigs together. I look forward to our regular calls and face to face

meetings whenever possible as she is based in London.

A lot of companies are appointing internal and external mentors for women

leaders specifically who are on their way up in the Corporate ladder. Also

companies are putting these measures in an attempt not to lose their women

leaders! An in-house mentor can be a good role model and advise you on

things to watch out for, specifically when it comes to office politics and

information about kind of decisions that can impact you. At the same time

having a mentor outside of your workplace is simpler and easier because you

don’t feel intimidated about opening up about your challenges and failures.

This person could help you with skills and knowledge that would be expected

from you at the next senior level on getting promoted, guide you on a myriad

of issues like problem solving, managing stakeholders effectively or just

broadening your network.

A mentor-mentee relationship is characterized by mutual respect, trust, shared

values, and good communication. Effective mentorship takes time and energy

on part of the mentor. And expecting a mentee to be organized, responsible,

and engaged is the least.

Last but not the least you don’t have to settle for just one mentor, you can

have more than one if you want! Learning how to put all those learnings to

work is up to you finally!

Do reflect what has been your experience been with regard to mentoring.

How has it helped you in your life or what do you hope it would do in case you

are just getting into a mentoring relationship?

(This article first appeared on the WiP page on December 13, 2021. I am the founder of Women in Power (WiP) Community)