Blueprints for Success: How Mentors Can Support Your Growth
An often-underutilized strategy for growth, talking to a mentor has many benefits. Mentors can play a significant role in personal growth while effectively supporting and elevating your career trajectory, often for a minimal cost. Mentors are willing to put themselves into positions of support, yet people don’t often take those opportunities. They are an ally, a support, a peer, and a person who can help you get to where you want to go… especially if they’ve already been there. Mentorship changed my life and I know it will do the same for others.
Who is a Mentor?
A trusted advisor by definition, they’re somebody who can help you work on yourself and your craft to get to the next level. It’s an outside opinion that can be both candid and supportive. A mentor does not have to be chosen on years of experience or even age, but they must know where you want to go and have an idea of the things required for the result.
For example, in construction, many people have seen the ins and outs of the industry and these can include a journeyman or experienced tradesperson, superintendent, CEO, teacher, senior office staff, or even a remote contact who can support you.
How Do We Benefit from Having a Mentor?
A mentor is there to support you through the good and bad days but most importantly to help you learn from both. They’ve often seen the realities of an industry or a workplace and can empathize with you, building your confidence through the connection you’ve created. You’ve already visualized the outcome, now they can support and guide you to it.
My mentor, Tatsuya “Tats” Nakagawa, CEO of Castagra, saw traits in me that I could further develop and areas where I could use my marketing skills. This support expedited my career and guided my entrance into the construction industry. Mentors who have been through it see it differently than you might.
Connecting with a Mentor
Connecting with a mentor is not a formal process, but stems from your willingness to learn, grow, and give value. Every interaction you have in your daily life matters as you never know when the opportunity will arise and who’s interested in your potential. A journey of personal growth often leads to the people who want best for you. Be careful in who you choose as this person will have a significant impact on you, you want it positive. Here are two ways to connect with a mentor.
Attracting a Mentor
Hard work, active listening, and an open mind with a willingness to grow are qualities in mentees that mentors enjoy working with; regularly demonstrate these. Be self-aware and have the confidence to put yourself in situations that will get you to somebody you seek. Share your goals with others and let them know what you’re in pursuit of.
Pursuing a Mentor
Identify who you would like to have as a mentor and be proactive, don’t hold yourself back. Imposture syndrome may linger, but the push through it is worth the outcome in the end. Approach the person and ask, all they can say is no while feeling a little flattered.
Share what you would like from them and how you feel they can help you, explain what you’re willing to do to get there. Most mentors have had one themselves and are willing to pay it forward, they understand why you’re asking.
What Should I Expect from a Mentor?
A mentor will have standards, it is their valuable time. Expect them to hold you accountable, to have expectations, to want you to succeed, and to meet their end of the agreement. They expect you to hold yours as well.
How to Be a Good Mentee
A meeting with a mentor is a golden opportunity for growth, be prepared for every meeting. You will get actionable advice; it’s on you to do the work. To see the most growth, you have to want success for yourself and be willing to go for it. When your passion comes through, your mentor will bask in it with you. A mentor’s time is valuable, make good use of it, appreciate it, and don’t be afraid to ask questions - they signed up to help you find answers.
Go For It
Having a mentor can be the difference in your personal and professional growth. Don’t underestimate the impact they can have on you, and evaluate who’s best for you with an open mind. Find somebody you feel could help you and approach them early. Be prepared to do the work and with the help of a trusted mentor, you may surprise yourself at how big your goals get and how fast you reach them.
Robert Puharich is the Associate Producer of the Specified Growth Podcast and a Marketing Consultant. Robert spreads knowledge in the construction world and focuses on growing visibility in the building materials industry by sharing information and analysis. An educator at heart, sharing content and helping others is where he spends most of his time when not with his three children.
