IT TAKES SKILL

Nick's example points out just how important it is to prepare for mentoring, seek and select the right mentor, get the relationship off to a good start, establish agreements, set goals, keep the momentum up, and deal directly with potential stumbling blocks. Because Nick and Jon worked through each of these mentoring matters, their relationship stayed on track.

Knowing when and how to seek out a mentor is a leadership competency. It takes skill and commitment to be good at it. You can participate intentionally and consciously or merely go through the motions. For mentoring to be successful and effective, you need to choose the first route.