Psstt ... got a good mentor?
How to find and keep one
“A mentor is a person who should inspire, encourage, support, teach, guide, advise, counsel, network, coach and tutor,” writes Sonia D. Coleman in her article, “Finding and Keeping Mentors.”
How does a person find a mentor with such qualifications? One way, says Coleman, is to join organizations where more experienced persons are members and attend networking events within those organizations.
“The purpose of the mentoring relationship is to help an individual grow-personally, professionally or both,” says Coleman. She notes that while a mentor cannot do the hard work required of the mentee, the mentor can aid the mentee in accomplishing tasks or reaching goals.
Just because someone has years in a profession doesn’t mean that he or she will be a good mentor, continues Coleman. She notes that good mentors generally have the same characteristics: they offer openess, patience, influence, encouragement and the ability to listen.
Keeping the lines of communication open and establishing regular meetings are important to the success of the mentoring relationship, emphasizes Coleman. “The mentee will not benefit from the relationship unless advice learned from the mentor is put into practice.”
Coleman’s article is part of the Young Lawyers Division’s “101 Practice Series,” an online resource for new lawyers that covers basic training in both substantive and practical aspects of law practice. The articles are available online to ABA members free of charge.
