Owning your career (Part 3 of 3)

Agility … Let’s take action. Have you identified who will support your growth, challenge your thinking and provide mentoring, and feedback?

Agility is the ability and willingness to learn from experience, then apply lessons to new situations, getting feedback is key to readiness. “We are measured not by what we are, but by the perception of what we seem to be; not by what we say, but how we are heard; not by what we do, but how we appear to do it. - anonymous

Using your 360 Review, reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. One derailer of agility is defensiveness. We sometimes have an “imposter syndrome.” We feel like the curtain will be pulled back and people will realize, “we are not all that.” When seeking mentors, ensure they are individuals that you can trust. A mentor should be one you can be candid with and be open to their advice.

Some of the expectations of a mentor/mentee are:

1. Take the lead (mentee) make sure you are leading the discussions; do you have an agenda?

2. Serve as a positive role model (mentor).

3. Build the relationship by agreeing and working on joint projects (mentor/mentee).

4. Strive for mutual respect (mentor/mentee).

5. Provide a safe environment (mentor). Are you able to be open?

6. Agree on set goals (mentor/mentee). As the mentor, push the mentee to stretch outside of their comfort goals. As the mentee, track and report on all goals.

7. The more you share, the more you will get back.

8. Keep the energy going after finishing the relationship.

9. Hold each other accountable.

Post in the comments your experience with mentors. What is the best jewel you have received from your mentor relationship?