When I think about excellent mentors in the business world, I think of Debbie Laskey, who has mentored many people during her career. Debbie is passionate about mentoring. So, she's an ideal person to answer the following five questions about mentoring:
1. Why do you enjoy being a mentor?
Since
I have been in the workplace for nearly two decades, I have had the opportunity
to learn from a number of individuals. Some were supervisors, some were
executives, some were co-workers, and some were employees who reported to me.
However, the mentorship relationship is different than those relationships. As
a mentor, I have been able to share what I’ve learned with individuals
(mentees) who are at the beginning stages of building a business. They have an
insatiable appetite for suggestions and always appreciate ideas – even if they
don’t apply them immediately. Mentees have no agenda and no time for
unnecessary drama. While they may question suggestions, most of the time, they
have an open mind, and this characteristic often leads to long-term success.
2. Before a mentee enters into a mentoring engagement
what should he/she ask himself/herself?
Before
a mentee enters into a mentorship engagement, he or she must write down five
objectives and a realistic timeframe. Is one objective to finalize a business
plan or marketing plan? Is one objective to determine how to build a database
of leads? Is one objective how to develop strategic partnerships? Whatever the
objectives are, the mentee must know what they are before the mentorship begins
– or the mentorship will fail before it even begins. And, how long should the
mentor and mentee continue to dialogue? Three months? Six months? It is
critical to set a timeframe so that the mentor can stagger the talking points
and action items.
3. What type of person makes an effective mentor?
The
art of being an effective mentor is dependent on five things. First, a mentor
must make a time commitment to the mentee, so he or she needs to have time
available. Second, a mentor must be able to communicate easily and clearly. Third,
a mentor must be knowledgeable in a myriad of areas. Fourth, a mentor must be a problem-solver. And
fifth, a mentor must like the role of cheerleader. While it might make sense to
have a mentor in the same industry, that’s not always the best solution if you
can find a multi-dimensional business leader.
4. Of all the mentors you have had in your life, what
did you like most about the one who you believe was a good mentor to you?
My
most important mentor has been my father. He demonstrated an amazing work
ethic, and that dedication has been part of my professional life since my first
job. He also taught me the importance of client service (aka, customer
service), and the importance of returning phone calls and emails as soon as
possible. Also, since my father was a CPA, he was always reading about new tax
laws, so he taught me at an early age to stay up-to-date on my industry and
trends.
5. If you can't find a mentor
within your workplace, where are good places to find a mentor?
with your contacts through social media. Post to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn,
and Google+ that you’re looking for a mentor. In addition, check out
MicroMentor.com. This site offers a variety of mentorship connections. Lastly,
once you’ve benefited from your mentorship, pay it forward. Be a mentor to
someone else!
words of John Crosby: “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a
push in the right direction.”
concentration in Marketing and International Management. She began her career
in law and accounting, but after graduate school, she transitioned into
marketing.
to the Consumer Marketing Department at Disneyland Paris in France to the
non-profit industry to the insurance industry.
include marketing, branding, social media, employee engagement, and customer
experiences. Follow Debbie on Twitter @DebbieLaskeyMBA and on her blog.
