Choosing a Mentor

Not everyone who has been there or has a prowess worth admiring can show us the way. Mentors are more than that. So choose wisely, writes Anjana Das.

Growing up I had seen my grandfather sit in counsel with village folk. One after another they would trickle in all morning or late afternoon spending hours huddled over, conspiratorially. And then on occasion some would come bearing gifts and gratitude to announce a new job, a transfer to a town or achievement of some sort. 

My grandfather was not a politician. He was just a mentor, I realize now. For a farming village people like my grandfather who had started out with a teashop to owning commercial establishments, large swathes of farmland, ox to rent out and permanent workers stationed all year around was considered successful. 

When people choose a mentor they essentially look for someone they would like to emulate. There must be something about the individual’s life journey that resonates with us. It was not the jewelry business or the elephant that drew people to my grandfather I understood later. It was the school he built for the children of the village, it was the bus shelter and the enduring acts that made people’s lives better that made him mentor material.

Everyone needs a mentor at some point in their career. Bill Gates credits Warren Buffett for igniting his philanthropic endeavors. Steve Jobs is believed to have steered Mark Zuckerberg to his original purpose when he was floundering, in the early days of Facebook. 

Before you select a mentor though, watch and observe the person. Have a discussion about where you want to go. Listen to how they respond. And then decide. Here is a rough guide to what you can look for when choosing a mentor : 

1. They need to be an authentic listener.  

2. They should understand your goals and purpose.

3. He or preferably she, needs to be caring enough to understand your challenges.

4. Instead of offering solutions, you should be guided to find your own.

A willingness to share blended with an empathy to see us for who we are, makes the right mentor. As a woman in a male-dominated industry for instance, we need people who can be both logical and empathetic to the predicament that is impeding us. Its not a one-size-fits-all solution. 

“We connect alternate days or whenever I need some help,” says Niveditha Y on her mentorship with infyni. “Most important is that my mentor is an expert in the domain so he is able to help me with my projects at work.”

Before choosing a career mentor here is something you need to ask yourself:

What are the values I want to be known for, as a leader: 

Grit : I want to be seen as a person who will persevere in the face of any adversity.

Ambition : I should be able to keep climbing higher no matter what I already have or where I am.

Kindness : I should be seen as a compassionate leader who truly understands my people’s difficulties.  

Daringness : I want to be ‘the’ go-to person for any impossible task that comes up.

Get these ideas clear in your mind before you seek a mentor. If you have any difficulties deciding drop us a mail and we can help navigate you through. 

Infyni offers work mentorship to those who need help, no matter what stage of your career you are in. Drop a mail to marketing@infyni.com to learn what opportunities we have for you.   

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