Pebble - 8th November 2022

What is a mentor?

A mentor is someone who provides guidance, support, and advice to someone else. They can be a teacher, a coach, a family member, a work colleague or a friend. They are someone who can help you learn from your mistakes, reach your goals, and become the best version of yourself.

It helps if your mentor has been where you are now, so you can learn and benefit from their experience. A mentor is a gift, and finding a mentor is one of the best things you can do for yourself. 

What makes a great mentor?

There are a few key things that make a great mentor. They understand that everyone learns at their own pace and don't expect their mentee to absorb everything they say immediately; it takes time for people to learn and grow. They understand that their mentee needs to talk more than them, they let their mentee talk and share their thoughts and experiences; that's how they'll learn and grow the most. 

A great mentor is supportive, I like to say to my mentees' that I am your cheerleader, in your corner, shouting up about their success and raising their profile. It's important to encourage your mentee, but you also need to give them honest feedback so they can improve. A truly great mentor keeps an open-mind. hey are open to new ideas and different ways of doing things; that's how you'll help your mentee expand their horizons. 

What can I do to be a great mentor?

A great mentor can provide invaluable guidance, support and advice, and can help someone reach their full potential. Here are a few tips.

• Be patient and understanding. Your mentee may not always understand things immediately, so it's important to be patient and explain things clearly.
• Be supportive but honest. It's important to be supportive of your mentee, but you should also be honest with them about their strengths and weaknesses.
• Be available. Try to make yourself available as much as possible for your mentee. They may need your help at any time, so it's important to be there for them.
• Be a good listener. It's important to listen to your mentee and hear what they have to say. They may have valuable insights that you can use to help them grow.

By following these tips, you can be a great mentor to someone who is just starting out on their career or a colleague who needs a helping hand. To learn more about mentoring, visit our services page where Pebble has training courses and mentoring programmes that can help you to become a great mentor.