There are many reasons that we may seek a relationship with a mentor.&nbsp;



Some look for answers or solutions to problems they are facing in their work. Some need a sounding board as they talk through their unique scenario. Some want a cheerleader of sorts, a mentor who celebrates their efforts and accomplishments. Some simply want to acquire information and knowledge as quickly as possible, in this case utilizing the experiences of others to do so.&nbsp;



Some seek all of the above.&nbsp;



As aspiring professionals&nbsp; there’s never been a better period of time to utlize technology to tap into the wisdom and experience of a mentor. Many hurdles of years past have been eliminated with remote friendly technology, enabling us to connect with a mentor of our choosing easier than ever before.&nbsp;



Regardless of the reasons you may be interested in seeking a mentor, it’s likely you already understand the value of what a trusted mentor can provide to a career. It’s not by chance that 76% of professionals believe that mentors are important. The potential fruits of a successful mentor/mentee relationship are numerous, and smart professionals will always seek out direction from those who have gone before.&nbsp;



Here we look at 9 lessons that founders and CEO’s of various businesses learned from their mentors, who were executives themselves.&nbsp;



1. Take care of yourself first.&nbsp;



&#8220;Wendy Lea, CEO at Cintrifuse, told me to never forget I&#8217;m responsible for running a company, and that it&#8217;s important to take care of yourself first as CEO, and then focus on customers.&#8221;



-Konrad Billetz, founder and CEO of Frameri



2. Embrace positivity.&nbsp;



&#8220;Every time we talk about an issue or consider a plan, my mentor wants me to focus on the positive aspects of the issue or outcome and then proceed to take action. Committing to your work with positive thoughts, your passion will shine through, ultimately leading to positive outcomes.&#8221;



-Michael Dweck, founder and CEO of Basic/Outfitters



3. Follow your passion, and never give up.&nbsp;



&#8220;The best advice I ever received was from my dad, my biggest mentor in life. Starting when I was young, he always quoted Confucius and told me, &#8220;Choose a job you love, and you never have to work a day in your life&#8221; and that &#8220;the greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.&#8221;



-Daniel Silberman, founder and CEO of Illesteva



4. Never stop learning, and learn from everyone.



&#8220;Something Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, told me years back was the importance of continuous learning. Everyone is superior to you in some way. There is always something that can be learned from each person you speak with. Humility is more than niceties; it&#8217;s a pathway to perpetually learning from any experience.&#8221;



-Healey Cypher, co-founder and CEO of Oak Labs



5. Respect the long game.&nbsp;



&#8220;Some people find success overnight, but you should never assume that&#8217;s how it will work out for you. As a PR guy, I&#8217;m acutely aware usually there is a long backstory of hard work and failures behind every &#8216;overnight success.&#8217; I really value this advice, and when life as an entrepreneur gets hard, it&#8217;s always comforting to remember.&#8221;



-Elliot Tomaeno, founder and CEO Astrsk



6. The power of storytelling.



&#8220;My mentor believes in pitching your company and selling yourself. Make sure to tell a story that people are interested in and one that conveys your personality and passion.&#8221;



-Emily Motayed, co-founder of Havenly



7. Stop saying yes to everything.



&#8220;The best advice I ever got was from an ex-Harvard Business School professor and best-selling business author, David Maister, who was a client of mine for a number of years. He told me that your career and success would be defined by what you said no to, not what you said yes to. This was very counterintuitive to me as a young entrepreneur, but it&#8217;s wisdom that has really proved true through the years.&#8221;



-Justin Evans, co-founder and CEO of Landr



8. This too shall pass.



&#8220;This applies in business and more broadly in life. It is a reminder to keep in mind that when everything seems to be going your way, we need always to be prepared for adversity, and similarly when challenges and setbacks seem to arise every day that there will inevitably be better times around the bend provided we persist.&#8221;



&#8211;Colin Darretta, founder and CEO of customized nutritional supplement service WellPath Solutions



9. Balance is everything.&nbsp;



&#8220;An important piece of advice I received from one of my mentors, Richard Branson, was, &#8216;The key to happiness is all about balance-a combination between fun and loving life in all forms, while being successful at the same time.'&#8221;



-Constantin Bisanz, founder and CEO of Aloha

9 Lessons Learned from Mentor Executives

As mentioned in other LevelNext blog posts, the rewards of being a mentor can come in many forms.&nbsp;



Professionals who embrace mentorship have long since acknowledged the benefits of helping others towards their own goals and aspirations.&nbsp;



Like your Mom always taught you, it’s always better to give than receive. But in giving back, you’re also setting yourself up to receive some pretty sweet karma.&nbsp;



In this article we explore 10 meaningful reasons why mentorship should be a consideration on your radar.&nbsp;



Being a mentor will increase your communication skills.



Interactions with your mentees will vary due to a variety of factors. Those factors can include the traits of the individual, what their current role and responsibilities entail, their goals, or their present day skill sets just to name a few.&nbsp;



As you regularly conduct meetings with your mentee and discuss opportunities, options, strategy, and objectives, you’ll increase your own ability to collaborate and become better equipped to communicate successfully in other arenas of your life.&nbsp;



Being a mentor will increase your knowledge&nbsp;



As you interact with mentees, you’ll likely be revisiting experiences that you may have had during your career. As such, you just might have to recall skills and/or strategies you once utilized, but haven’t considered in a while. In addition, you may have to research or learn new methods to best empower your mentee. In either case, you’ll reap the benefits of added knowledge, refreshed or new.&nbsp;



Being a mentor increases leadership ability&nbsp;



The role of a mentor is a role of leadership. The investment of time you’ll spend with your mentee will also serve as a platform to improve your leadership skill and indluence.&nbsp;



As you work with your mentee, think back upon leaders who inspired you along the way. How did they do it? Now is your chance to utilize mentorship as a vehicle to raise the bar on your own leadership capability and impact.&nbsp;



Being a mentor can help you receive recognition&nbsp;



As a mentee is empowered with clear direction to a greater ability to achieve, it’s quite common for the mentee to give credit where credit is due. As a respected mentor, you may receive recognition which enhances your professional reputation and leads to additional opportunities in various capacities.&nbsp;



Being a mentor will expand your network



Networking is a valuable tool for any professionals who choose to embrace it. By making introductions and seeking connection opportunities where appropriate for your mentee, the value you may provide can open up unexpected doors for both parties. In addition, as you become a trusted advisor, you may be introduced to subsequent mentorship opportunities and meeting new people.&nbsp;



Being a mentor allows for you to give back



Knowing you have made a positive contribution to a mentee’s life is fulfilling work. We all know the emotion that comes from paying-it-forward. By giving back to the rising generations, you just might experience your most enjoyable labor.&nbsp;



Being a mentor enables you with better perspective&nbsp;



It’s easy to fall into patterns and specific regimens as we focus on work responsibilities. Mentorship opens new possibilities and unlocks fresh perspectives as you interact with a mentee, explore unique circumstances, and potentially discover or consider strategies which you otherwise would not. Exposure to new elements will likely increase your overall perspective, and creative thinking.&nbsp;



Being a mentor adds to your qualifications



Regardless of the current level of your own career, mentorship can be an attractive element on your resume. The mentorship experience proves to hiring managers that you can be trusted and are serious about providing value and helping others develop within a team setting.&nbsp;



Being a mentor can help better your business&nbsp;



Just as added perspective through being a mentor may have an empowering effect personally, your mentorship experience can enhance your company’s effectiveness and cohesiveness. Your ability to lead and establish best practice work habits can serve to bolster company culture and output.&nbsp;



Being a mentor can improve your confidence



Feelings of success can be contagious. When you empower your mentee to succeed, you’ll also feel a sense of self-worth that can make you feel confident as you navigate through your own career development. Seeing the results of your positive impact will impact your own outlook toward your abilities and potential.&nbsp;



Mentorship, and the results of successful mentor/mentee relationships, are typically not a one way street.&nbsp;



At LevelNext, we celebrate mentor and mentee successes as collaborative victories. Let’s get some wins together.&nbsp;

10 Reasons to Become a Mentor

A career mentor is a trusted resource who should help you make more sense of your career path.&nbsp;



We understand it can be a bit nerve wracking when trying to identify the right mentor for you. While finding a mentor who is the best fit might take some extra effort and consideration, we are here to help.&nbsp;



At LevelNext, our process for vetting potential mentors is something we take very seriously. Those who qualify to become a mentor on our platform have met various qualification particulars, while displaying solid career success of their own. In addition, these individuals have aced our interview process and shown they have the ability to communicate resolutely and lead effectively. Regardless if their background is most aligned within technology, marketing, content creation, entrepreneurship, or beyond, their leadership brings unique value to our platform, and to you.



A mentor who is truly serious about your success will act like a personalized advocate. They will understand how to set relevant goals, navigate potential career changes, give advice rooted in experience, and help chart clear paths to your version of success.&nbsp;



As you begin to consider who might be the best fit as your mentor, keep these statements in mind:



A mentor is someone who has your best interests at heart.&nbsp;&nbsp;



A mentor is someone who will listen to you.&nbsp;



A mentor is someone who will help you understand how to take action, and what to avoid.&nbsp;



A mentor is someone who you should be able to trust.&nbsp;



And finding the right fit doesn’t need to be as complicated as you might think. Mentees will often over analyze requesting potential suitors for help. This shouldn’t be the case. Remember, mentors on the LevelNext platform are here because they want to be of service to you. They want to help you.&nbsp;



Don’t let the fear of ‘putting somebody out’ or a fear of rejection keep you from approaching a mentor for an engagement. Our talented pool of mentors consists of professionals with a wealth of knowledge who are anxious to help you get ahead in your career with stronger clarity and purpose.&nbsp;



When seeking a mentor on our platform, here are a few suggestions to help you identify and engage with a mentor who’s just the right fit.&nbsp;



<ol><li>Seek compatibility: shared interests, backgrounds, and values might help you to build trust quickly and on common ground from the start. Don’t feel like you have to engage with anyone who you don’t feel comfortable with.&nbsp;</li><li>Create a list and compare: It’s nice to have options. Fortunately for you, LevelNext gives you a variety of mentor options. Compare backgrounds and information between potential mentors, and as you do so you’ll likely be able to decide on the option that feels just right for you.&nbsp;</li><li>Create your elevator pitch: Who are you, what makes you tick, and where are you headed? By forming your own personal elevator pitch, you’ll be able to introduce yourself and make a connection right out of the gates.&nbsp;</li><li>Know your goals: Write down what you hope to accomplish, and communicate that from the outset. If you touch upon your goals with a mentor candidate, they will be able to understand if and how they can best lead you to your desired outcomes.&nbsp;</li><li>Be honest and receptive: Being open to the comments and views of others may feel like a vulnerable place to be, and often it is. Understand that mentors have the same desire that you do &#8211; and that’s to see you succeed! Even when you might feel you’re being taken out of your comfort zone, remember your mentor is simply trying to help. As you’re open to new directives, you’ll likely experience new wins.&nbsp;</li><li>Be you, always: Remember, you’re here to give yourself new opportunities and experiences which will lead to growth. But it will only work if you approach it authentically. Genuine connection and meaningful conversations with your mentor can only happen if you’re approaching it with real intent. You’re here to uncover your best, so start by letting your potential mentor know the best version of you.&nbsp;</li></ol>

Finding your best Career Mentor

As business professionals in the present day, we are expected to thrive while juggling countless responsibilities.&nbsp;



Capturing our own versions of success can feel overwhelming. It’s certainly a frantic playground we live in.&nbsp;



Oftentimes, it feels as though when we have reached our perceived limit, we are tasked with more. Along the way we usually, and reluctantly, discover that time and again we can be stretched a bit further. The scenario feels cyclical, with our dwindling energy levels reflecting our added output.&nbsp;



It’s easy to scoff at the idea of giving back in times like this.&nbsp;



It’s easy to dismiss opportunities to help others, because somebody else can do it.&nbsp;



But in doing so, we just might be missing out on the most fulfilling work of our careers.



Mentorship is a platform to connect with aspiring business professionals who are eager to make their own mark in their career. Yes, it’s true, by embracing the role of mentor, we likely concede we are no longer spring chickens inside our respective work environments, but with tenure and experience as value drivers, we can utilize acquired knowledge and wisdom that has helped us to succeed.&nbsp;



An athlete once likened his sporting career to two elevators.&nbsp;



One elevator started at the top of a building and went downward. This elevator he likened to his athletic ability, which would naturally dwindle over the years.&nbsp;



The other elevator went in the opposite direction, from bottom to top. This elevator the athlete likened to knowledge of the game he acquired while playing.&nbsp;



To use that same analogy, but likening it to a professional career rather than an athletic one, where do you see your elevators?&nbsp;



A mentee will likely have elevators near the top on one hand, but instead of fresh athleticism, think energy or ambition.&nbsp;



The other elevator for the mentee will be closer to ground levels pertaining to knowledge of how to play the game inside their own corporate environment.&nbsp;



As a trusted mentor, you can help optimize the elevators for the mentee student and lead them to a more fulfilling career experience, because you’ve already seen the workings of your elevators and have likely learned along the way.&nbsp;



Whatever the speed or path elevators for mentor or mentee, a stronger sense of fulfillment, validation, and selflessness is likely to accompany would be mentor leaders.&nbsp;



Below we inspect just a few potential benefits of mentorship.



Stronger sense of empathy



Nobody escapes the career path without experiencing their own highs and lows along the way. Turbulent times are simply a part of the equation for any professional, regardless of seniority level. An experienced mentor is an ideal sounding board for a mentee who may be facing their own turbulence. While no two scenarios are going to the same, by providing support through active listening and suggesting proper action when appropriate, your perspectives will help you build stronger empathy while your mentor builds their own resilience.&nbsp;



Helping others avoid mistakes



Mistakes in any job can be costly, or worse. A committed mentor can mitigate the path of the mentee by pointing out potential pitfalls or challenges, oftentimes well before they might be aware they even exist. By helping others in the right direction, and providing suggestions on proper courses of action, the mentor shields the mentee from potential embarrassment while protecting them from negative consequences.&nbsp;



Introductions to network



Have you ever experienced the joy of connecting two business contacts within your network? It’s a feeling that is palpable. And when the relationship of the two individuals whom you’ve introduced produces positive results, it’s a feeling of satisfaction that is difficult to compete with. As a mentor, you may be able to put your mentee in contact with others who can help them grow their own network and make meaningful connections of value as they continue their career path. If it’s all about who you know, why not share the wealth?&nbsp;



Feelings of validation and worth



Giving back has always been an act of service which is worthwhile and not without positive consequence. Beyond that, in embracing the role of mentor, we may discover emotions as we fulfill the mentor role that validate our own career journey. Instead of lamenting the ‘what-if’s’ or mistakes, one can recalibrate by acknowledging and accepting that their struggles, while painful, ultimately benefited another who didn’t have to experience the same pains. There is significant value to that kind of experience which cannot be understated. Though your mentee may never know the true difference you made, the feeling that accompanies helping another might just heal your own wounds vicariously.&nbsp;



The payoff in mentorship goes levels deep. By being a valuable mentor to an aspiring mentee, you’ll likely find you experience a wave of fulfillment that you never expected.&nbsp;

The Fulfillment of Mentorship

During your career you’re likely to face significant changes.&nbsp;



Whether those changes are brought on by outside influences (think the recession of 2008), or changes are self related (burnout, the desire to move into another industry, being laid off, etc), career changes aren’t&nbsp; a matter of if, but when.&nbsp;



The average number of jobs the average professional is likely to have during their career is around a dozen.&nbsp;



In other words, never get too comfortable. Change can be hard. Change can be good. Change can mean a variety of things.&nbsp;



But change remains constant.&nbsp;



Regardless of if you’re one year, several years, or decades into your career, it’s never been more expected or accepted for professionals to make career changes at any given chapter.&nbsp;



If you’re thinking you’ve missed your boat to make a career pivot, read here:&nbsp;



It’s never too late to make a career change.&nbsp;



The professional environment that we currently live in is a frantically evolving landscape, and with that evolution there will always be new arising opportunities. Infact it’s not uncommon to find scenarios where the workforce has to catch up with fresh technology to make the desired impacts to the marketplace.&nbsp;



Think of commercial space flight as an example. Just a decade ago, the thought of taking civilians into space outside of a scifi novel was unheard of. Now, behind the vision and execution of leaders like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, commercial space flight has become a reality in our present day. What was once only a dream for anyone not a NASA Astronaut, can now be a reality. Commercial space travel has opened a new door for anyone willing to pay to experience reaching outer space inside of a rocket. Behind that, the model has opened doors to new technology and approaches to science, which in turn have created jobs which never existed before.&nbsp;



To summarize, if you’ve ever wanted to become a rocket scientist there’s never been a better time to do so.&nbsp;



Whether your dream is to become that rocket scientist, or to shift gears into countless other industries, we have a few suggestions you should take into account as you plan a career transition.&nbsp;



<ol><li>Focus on Passion:&nbsp;</li></ol>



No matter your career chapter, approach your career pivots with a marathon mindset instead of a sprint. While many professionals focus on how to make the quick buck, wise professionals will identify a passion, and begin building there.&nbsp;



Earnings potential will always be far greater for somebody who enjoys their craft.&nbsp;



Remember the sound advice from Mark Twain, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”



<ol start="2"><li>Rely on Past Successes:</li></ol>



Shifting into a new career can be an overwhelming experience. But don’t make it harder than it needs to be.&nbsp;



Even if your occupation goal looks nothing like your current role, there are likely to be overlaps somewhere. Focus on the transferable skills you may bring into a new role and use those overlaps as a foundation for establishing immediate impact in your new role.&nbsp;



Isaac Marion, an American writer aptly stated, “Every experience, good or bad, is a priceless collector’s item.” Don’t overlook your previous experiences as irrelevant. It rarely is.&nbsp;



<ol start="3"><li>Draw Knowledge from a Mentor:&nbsp;</li></ol>



Have you ever spoken with somebody who has already traveled to a destination you’ve been wanting to visit? Hearing their experiences and learning specifics about what they gleaned can serve invaluable as you prepare for your own trip.



This is often the same inside work environments. By tapping into the wisdom and experience of a mentor who has gone before, you can speed up your learning curve substantially. You’ll be able to steer clear of unnecessary challenges, receive stronger direction, and feel more clarity by drawing their experiences.



A valuable mentor can serve as a cheat code for your career. Whether that&#8217;s in illuminating the path ahead, or helping you to realize your own unique capabilities. Drawing upon the value of a mentor can make a resounding difference in your ability to achieve.&nbsp;



Whatever the reasoning behind a career move, or whatever your desired position looks like, approach your career pivot with confidence. Your age shouldn’t be the driving consideration if or not you decide to make a change. Afterall, it has far less relevance than it once did.



Rather than focusing on perceived limitations or outside challenges, focus instead on your own unique value. English writer, Neil Gaiman said this &#8220;The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.&#8221;



The world makes way for the person who knows where they are headed.&nbsp;



Seek opportunities to transition into the types of roles you believe you can make a meaningful difference within.&nbsp;



Draw upon your past experiences, because they have value.&nbsp;



Rely upon the wisdom of mentors who have gone before, they will make your journey easier.&nbsp;



Finally, don’t give too much consideration to age. It’s just a number.&nbsp;



By following these three steps, you’re all set for blast off (or whatever environment you’re seeking).

Is it Too Late to Make a Career Change?

Nelson Mandela is universally regarded as a phenomenal leader. Known for being the first President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and prior to that a revolutionary and political leader who countless people revered and respected, Mandela’s case study is a fascinating one.&nbsp;



Though viewed as a controversial figure for much of his life, Mandela would go on to gain international acclaim and support for his activism. He would receive hundreds of honors during his lifetime, including the Nobel Peace Prize. In his home country, Mandela is referred to as the “Father of the Nation”.&nbsp;



Once asked how he learned to become a great leader, Mandela responded by saying he attended tribal meetings with his father. There he learned many lessons, but he stated two things in particular were of precious value to him as he watched his father, his mentor, interact with the other tribesmen.&nbsp;



First, the tribe would always sit in a circle. This practice suggested that all were equal, all were unified, and each person’s voice had value.&nbsp;



And second, his father, the local chief of the tribe, would always speak last.&nbsp;



The latter learning of watching his father first listen before he would speak is significant for multiple reasons.&nbsp;



All of us can likely recall scenarios where we have been in office meetings, trainings, or business conferences where the leader in the front of the room talks and lectures until they are satisfied. Often these addresses are a monopoly, one sided, and think little for the contributions or input of others. As a result, these addresses are quickly forgotten.&nbsp;



Conversely, if you were to think of a mentor or leader-figure you have had within your business career or outside of it, you are likely to discover that somehow you felt heard by them. They made you feel like you contributed. While real leadership is often established through watching the example of other’s actions, feeling heard or validated by others in leadership roles is an empowering gift which can enable a mentee to act on their own and to create their unique success story.&nbsp;



To feel heard is to feel validated. To feel validated creates confidence. Confidence can drive impressive action.&nbsp;



It’s been stated that we spend 70-80% of our time communicating, and roughly 55% of our time engaged in listening, and of that time, only half of it is really spent listening with focus.&nbsp;



For anyone with desires to be a respected mentor, the recipe is clear. Your job to listen is likely more critical than giving advice or direction.&nbsp;



Active listening is a practice that can be implemented and improved upon through a variety of techniques. Simple practices such as maintaining eye contact (even if a virtual meeting), smiling, demonstrating genuine concern, asking clarifying questions, summarizing, and offering personal experiences that are similar in nature to a mentee’s can enable the mentee to feel better empowered.&nbsp;



At LevelNext we are creating the most exquisite mentorship experience for people who want to skill-up. Ours is a marketplace of expertise, and designed to connect the right people with the right knowledge to solve the right problems. If remarkable mentorship is truly our specialty, we understand how the best mentorships are carefully created and nourished to reach optimal levels.



Pssst… it’s never through one sided communication.&nbsp;



Just as Nelson Mandela’s father left an indelible mark, one that would impact how he led on the world stage, you can leave your own impact on the life of your mentees.&nbsp;



But a simple suggestion: be the one who speaks last.&nbsp;



Or better yet, as Mandela said himself: “Lead from the back &#8211; and let others believe they are in front.”



Listen within intent, be present, and seek to understand.&nbsp;



Only by taking an active listening approach will you be able to provide the best feedback, advice, custom direction that will be meaningful and fulfilling to both parties.&nbsp;



A final quote from Mandela, which brings it all together nicely:



“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can change the world.”&nbsp;



As the teacher, lead with listening ears. In your own way, you can help change the world.&nbsp;

What Nelson Mandela’s Mentor Taught Him

While the general consensus towards mentorship programs is favorable, statistics always tell their own story.&nbsp;



The quantifiable data points below serve to prove the desire for, the effectiveness of, and the real value of mentorship through platforms like LevelNext. These statistics originate from third parties.&nbsp;



First, let’s set the table on why mentorship is growing in demand:



<ul><li>65% of people (or more) were looking for a new job in 2021. (PwC)</li><li>Workers at every level (entry level, manager, senior manager, executive) are significantly less likely to consider quitting if they have a mentor. (CNBC/SurveyMonkey)</li><li>90% of workers who have a mentor report being happy in their job. (CNBC/Survey Monkey)</li></ul>



The results of mentorship, and benefits to mentees can be found in this group of findings:



<ul><li>25% of mentees experienced an increase in their salary, compared to 5% of people not involved in mentoring. (Sun Microsystems)</li><li>Mentees involved with a mentor program are promoted 5x more often than those not involved in mentoring. (Sun Microsystems)</li><li>Around 60% of both men and women who serve as mentors are satisfied with their career advancement. (Coqual)</li></ul>



While mentees receive a variety of benefits within a mentorship program, the mentor also benefits. Below are stats which showcase how benefits are not one sided:&nbsp;



<ul><li>Individuals who choose to be a coach or mentor are more likely to reap the benefits for their own skills. Most (57%) expand their skill sets. (Coqual)</li><li>Leaders who mentor others are twice as likely to be aware of junior-level colleagues’ concerns. (Coqual)</li><li>Those who serve as a mentor are 6X more likely to be promoted to a higher position. (Sun Microsystems)</li><li>66% of those who mentor others are satisfied with their ability to deliver on difficult projects. (Coqual)</li></ul>



As an organization led by a female CEO, LevelNext keeps a close eye on gender diversity within mentorship. Here we highlight gender within mentorship through statistics:&nbsp;



<ul><li>69% of women who have a mentor choose one of their same gender, compared to 82% of men. (Olivet Nazarene University)</li><li>78% of women in senior roles have served as a formal mentor at least once in their career. (DDI)</li><li>63% of women report that they’ve never had a formal mentor. (DDI)</li><li>67% of women rate having a mentor as extremely important to their career advancement. (DDI)</li><li>Only 54% of women report that they’ve ever been asked to be a mentor in their career. (DDI)</li><li>70% of women who mentor other women report that they choose to mentor in order to be supportive of other women. (DDI)</li></ul>



It’s been reported that nearly half of millennials within the workforce plan on quitting their current job within the next two years.&nbsp;



The statistics below take a look into mentorship through a generational lens:



<ul><li>by 2025, 42.5% of the workforce will be millennials (aged 25-44 during that year) and that 28.2% will be Gen Z (aged 16 to 24) (Alight)</li><li>Millennials are more likely to quit their job because of a lack of career advancement opportunities (35%) and a lack of learning and development opportunities (28%). (Deloitte)</li><li>Gen Z strongly believes in learning, as 76% see learning as critical to their career advancement. (Forbes)</li><li>68% of millennials who stay at their organization for 5 or more years have a mentor, compared to just 32% of those without a mentor. (Deloitte)</li><li>82% of Gen Z professionals want those in superior roles to help them set goals. (Springtide Ressearch Institute).</li><li>Millennial and Gen Z professionals who have a mentor are 21% to 23% more likely to report being satisfied with their current job, compared to those without a mentor.&nbsp; (CNBC/SurveyMonkey)</li></ul>

Statistics and the Demand for Mentorship

Approaching the role of a mentor can be an exciting time. Often, the opportunity is filled with excitement, with feelings of validation and optimism for all the lessons and wisdom you’ll be able to impart to mentees. However, as the time draws near to begin the mentorship engagement, questions arise on how to best fulfill the role. This is not an uncommon phenomenon.&nbsp;



WIthin this article, we look to eliminate potential mentor second guessing with 6 best practice principles to solidify your approach to this critical role.&nbsp;



While general in nature, each should be viewed as foundational pillars to best engage with mentees.&nbsp;



<ol><li>Every mentee will have different needs</li></ol>



Just as any meaningful relationship in life is unique in nature, so is the case as in mentor/mentee relationships.. In approaching your role as mentor, the temptation might be to try and “templatize” or to take a cookie-cutter approach to your efforts.&nbsp;



Don’t do it.&nbsp;



An unwritten principle within the marketing industry helps to illustrate this logic:&nbsp;



Your audience is smarter than you think they are,&nbsp;&nbsp;



Meaning, don’t try to fool the audience with subpar one-size-fits-all tactics, because it’s only a matter of time before they backfire. This careless approach will lead to dissatisfaction from both parties.&nbsp;



Instead, treat each mentorship with careful consideration and logic specific to the obstacles and challenges that the mentee may be facing. As you do so, trust will be built, unity enhanced, and real difference can be the result.&nbsp;



<ol start="2"><li>Listen, and then listen more</li></ol>



As a mentor is an individual who is perceived to have relevant advice and answers, it is easy to succumb to the pitfall of wanting to speak first and give orders, rather than to begin by listening. True understanding, empathy, and action leading to results will ever be formed through engagements which feel like extended lectures.&nbsp;



A critical truth for any mentor wanting to be embraced must be through the ability to show emotional intelligence.



Simply put, to listen.&nbsp;



Think of a leader in your life who made a profound impact along the way. Whether it was a co-worker, boss, coach, religious leader, or beyond, it’s likely that person made a difference because they made you feel heard. They listened.&nbsp;



The strongest advice is unlocked after the particulars of a scenario are understood. By following this pattern, you’ll be one step closer to establishing yourself as a mentor who made a difference &#8211; because they first listened, then listened more.&nbsp;



<ol start="3"><li>Fundamentals and Success</li></ol>



John Wooden was a celebrated basketball coach largely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college athletics. His teams at UCLA were seemingly unbeatable, during one stretch winning a stunning 12 national championships in a row. A feat likely to never be matched or duplicated.&nbsp;



Wooden was known for beginning the first practice of each new season by stating “we will begin by learning to tie our shoes.” As you might expect, this directive was met with skepticism and confusion from incoming players as the coach would teach his team how to tie shoes snugly, properly, thereby eliminating potential issues. Wooden stated “Get a blister in a big game, and you’re gonna suffer. Shoes come untied in a close game… well, that just never happens here.”&nbsp;



The coach understood that fundamentals can mean all the difference between success and failure.&nbsp;



If fundamentals are understood and executed upon properly, objectives are far more likely to be met.&nbsp;



WIthin your approach as a mentor, look to begin at 5 miles per hour, rather than 75. Establish trust by building the relationship sequentially and brick by brick. This will empower your mentee with a stronger holistic knowledge and added clarity to their own circumstances.



<ol start="4"><li>Don’t connect all the dots</li></ol>



The best storytellers understand that they don’t have to give every detail to make them memorable.&nbsp;



As a mentor, it’s imperative to remember that during an engagement, mentees will often arrive at their own conclusions along the way. This isn’t a bad thing. Afterall, the mentee has far more details pertaining to their own unique situations. If empowered by a supportive mentor, them mentee should feel they can accomplish what they need to because the proper structure and strategy has been established..&nbsp;



The play by play directive strategy can often do more harm than good, as it won’t allow a mentee to learn their own lessons, in their own way.



By taking a macro approach than micro, the mentee can connect dots themselves and with increased personal confidence being a result.&nbsp;



<ol start="5"><li>Embrace Optimism&nbsp;</li></ol>



We’ve all heard the quote that attitude determines altitude.&nbsp;



Even if cliched, it holds truth.&nbsp;



Your attitude and demeanor as a mentor must be one of optimism and positivity. Afterall, a mentor who is pessimistic and negative remains a mentor, but one releasing more of the negative emotions into the equation.&nbsp;



Perhaps it was Bruce Lee who said it best:&nbsp;



“Optimism is a faith that leads to success”



The world has enough pessimism. Your responsibility is to be optimistic, to look for the positives at each step, and to be a constant supporter. Your mentee will follow suit.&nbsp;



<ol start="6"><li>Challenge Appropriately</li></ol>



Your role is one that is to be synonymous with change. Change for the better, change to increase, change to avoid pitfalls, change that is lasting, change in mindset, the list goes on and on.&nbsp;



Challenges will produce change.&nbsp;



But there must be a sweet spot. Don’t overwhelm your mentee, but push them enough to capture meaningful growth.&nbsp;



Going back to the first principle of this article, every mentee will have their own unique needs. Respect each mentee individually and challenge appropriately.&nbsp;

6 Principles of Mentorship

How many jobs do you expect to have during your career?&nbsp;



It’s a fascinating question for all of us, regardless of talent or industry focus.&nbsp;



To properly illustrate, let’s begin with an assumption that is likely to be generally accepted:&nbsp;



Gone are the days of working for one business for the duration of an entire career.&nbsp;



Once upon a time, starting at the bottom of the totem pole with an entry-level job and working up the ladder of hierarchy over decades of service was fairly standard. Ultimately one would follow this scenario, work him or herself up the ladder, then one day retire and ride off into the proverbial sunset &#8211; with maybe a business issued gold watch as a token of appreciation for years of service and loyalty.



We certainly don’t live in the workplace that your grandparents knew.&nbsp;



With modern day elements such as the great resignation, and remote work being far more the norm than the exception, it’s probably wise to accept the likelihood that your career will have as many shifts in it as it will steps up any one ladder.&nbsp;



But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing, and it doesn’t mean you still can’t get that gold watch, if that’s what you’re after.&nbsp;



If anything, the present day work environment should be viewed as offering a stronger freedom that our relative predecessors couldn’t have imagined.



Ours is the freedom to build a unique story at one’s own pace, freedom to best capture our talents faster, freedom to chase our very own success story, and freedom to best achieve whatever our lofty goals may look like.&nbsp;



Just don’t expect freedom to always be a linear process.&nbsp;



The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that on average, men and women are likely to have about a dozen different jobs during their career. Men average 12.6, while women average 12.3.&nbsp;



If you’re like most business professionals, these figures indicate that you’ll make career changes every few years. And while change is inevitable, the freedom of changing jobs does not have to be coupled with uncertainty and fear.



This is where mentorship can enter the building while playing a role of remarkable value.&nbsp;



When mentorship is thrown into the equation, changes and freedom become empowered with direction.&nbsp;



Think of career changes like a roadmap. There are options in which roads to take, options in the scenery of the drive, and options as to how best get to the desired destination. A mentor is a trusted guide who understands that map. The mentor has been there, done that, and gotten the t-shirt along the way. A mentor is someone who will know which roads to take, and which roads to steer clear from. A mentor will understand if potential shortcuts are real or perceived. And a mentor will be able to tell you just how fast and how far you’ll be able to go before you need to refuel.&nbsp;



Perhaps best of all, a trusted mentor can give you all the details about that destination you’re seeking.&nbsp;



Throughout history, there are countless examples of mentors who have empowered their mentees to capture their own beautiful freedom with stunning results. At the core of these relationships the mentor gave proper directions to their mentee which allowed them to make the roadmap journey a safe and successful one.&nbsp;



A few examples of successful mentor/mentee relationships look like this:&nbsp;



Maya Angelou mentored Oprah Winfrey.



Steve Jobs mentored Mark Zuckerberg.&nbsp;



Socrates mentored Plato and Aristotle.



Christian Dior mentored Yves St. Laurent&nbsp;



Though a wildly diverse sampling of mentorship success stories, these four examples show the value and power of adhering to the wisdom of somebody who understood the roadmap.&nbsp;



In reviewing the names of the 4 mentees&#8217; at the listed on the tail end of each of those examples, it’s likely that you can recall the general accomplishments of each of them, and how they impacted our world for the better. It is interesting to consider how their impact may have been hindered or halted along the way had they not had the custom direction through their own roadmaps on the way to achieving their respective successes. Their freedom was empowered because of the experience and expertise of mentors who already conquered the map, and were willing to give back.&nbsp;



Mentor-led professionals often attest that the direction received from mentors have helped them far beyond navigating the roadmap. It’s an influence that goes levels deep, and comes in a myriad of ways. Though the experience may be varied, the impact created through a mentor is unforgettable.&nbsp;



Many mentees acknowledge a stronger feeling of overall confidence. Many mentees feel a stronger leadership capability that was lacking prior to their mentor relationship. Mentees often feel more fulfillment within their work, and overall job satisfaction. Additional clarity and understanding of complex work environments are another noted benefit of learning from a mentor. Mentees attest that their ability to problem solve and make difficult decisions are often simplified. Finally, a stronger ability to create and grow a valuable network because of enhanced social skills is another noted benefit of learning from a trusted mentor.&nbsp;



While the benefits of a relationship are varied and significant, the fulfillment and results linked to the direction of a trusted resource cannot be undermined.



In the present day, changes are to be expected while freedom is there for the taking. However, having somebody who can provide direction at each turn on the roadmap is likely to change the journey to the desired destination into a truly beautiful ride.&nbsp;

Freedom, Direction, and Career Changes

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Without good leadership or mentors, it’s really easy to skate through your professional experience and feel underwhelmed. So having someone who can teach you how to be ‘whelmed’, how to be overwhelmed, and how to feel good about things is really important.” <cite>Ben Harrison</cite></blockquote>



Ben Harrison developed his skills as a leader and mentor early on in his 15+ year career. At the age of 18, he secured his first management position at a Verizon call center and worked there throughout his undergraduate studies. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and Services, Ben went on to obtain his MBA at Utah State University while simultaneously moving up the corporate ladder at Verizon. After 12 years of working in various roles at Verizon, Ben no longer felt challenged in his career. As an extroverted leader, he knew he needed a job that would allow him to work with people on a more interpersonal and sophisticated level. This realization led Ben to make a career change to Peek, a B2B software company that specializes in travel booking. Throughout the past 5 years, Ben has cycled through various HR roles at Peek, including titles such as onboarding manager and director of onboarding and implementation. Today, Ben sits as the senior director of onboarding and implementation at Peek, where he manages a team of employees spanning 7 states in the U.S. and also in Mexico, Santiago, and Columbia.&nbsp;



We sat down with Ben to gather his thoughts on the role of mentorship in the modern workplace. Here are some highlights:&nbsp;



Q: Have you ever been mentored by someone? How did that mentorship impact your career or shape you as a person?&nbsp;



“I think there is a perception that if you don’t get mentorship early in your career, then you’re going to miss out. But that’s not true. Because even three or four years ago, I had already been a leader for 12+ years in a myriad of different positions and my boss at the time was the VP of Ops at Peek and I just looked up to him greatly. He had accomplished so much at a young age and he just seemed like he had a lot of wisdom. And I remember one day going to work and just saying ‘I want you to mentor me.’ That was really useful because I found we could talk about broad scopes of professionalism and business that were outside of the onboarding or operational roles at Peek. And even when he left Peek, we still kept in contact. That door is still open, so when I have work related questions or concerns, I know that I can call him and he will take time out of his life to mentor me. And this all happened because I specifically asked him to mentor me.”&nbsp;



Q: What made you interested in becoming a LevelNext mentor?&nbsp;



“I really enjoy working with people who are new in the workforce and industries they are part of and helping people navigate the politics of work and how to move through issues and how to be radically candid…That’s what I really want to bring to this experience. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve been doing. Having someone to chat with and give advice and bounce questions off that isn’t associated with what you’re doing to get paid, I think is really powerful.”



Q: What qualities do you think make a good mentor?&nbsp;



“I think a good mentor is not necessarily someone who dominates conversations. Someone who soapboxes and says ‘This is what you have to do to be successful’ I think is a little shortsighted because that may have worked for that person, but you’re not getting into what makes someone an individual and what they’re going through and what they’re looking for. So I think the best mentors are ones who really understand who they’re working with and ask their mentees what they expect to get out of a mentorship, because then you can hone that in a little bit.”



If you want to get mentored by Ben, click here to apply and sign up with LevelNext today.&nbsp;

Get to know Ben Harrison — Senior Director of Onboarding & Implementation

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“A good mentor will be able to help and support their mentee, but also not make that environment too comfortable for them. They will have a balance between being safe and provocative at the same time.”<cite>Marinela Tanase</cite></blockquote>



When it comes to HR, Marinela Tanase has seen it all. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in economics in her home country of Romania in 1997, Marinela knew early on in her career that she enjoyed working with people. This realization led Marinela to her first role as a human resources officer at BAT — a company where she would remain throughout the course of her career. It was this role where Marinela first fell in love with HR. Over the past 25+ years, Marinela has climbed the corporate ladder by working in various HR-related roles at BAT, including titles such as HR Manager, European Ops HR Project Manager, Organizational Effectiveness Project Manager, and Regional Head of HR Shared Services, HR Transformation and Head of HR. Today, Marinela works as the Global HR Director for BAT’s Global Business Services (GBS) function, a position where she acts as a guide in helping shape other individual’s careers.&nbsp;



We sat down with Marinela to gather her thoughts on the role of mentorship in the modern workplace. Here are some highlights:&nbsp;



Q: What made you interested in becoming a LevelNext mentor?&nbsp;



“To help individuals shape their careers and, ultimately, their lives is quite a privileged position. I didn’t have answers when I started my career and didn’t have the opportunity to work with a coach and a mentor, and I realized later in my career what a difference having a mentor can make on your life and your career.”



Q: How would you describe your approach to mentorship?&nbsp;



“I find that things that are difficult for people, I can see very clearly. This is because I practice something called “intentionally disconnecting,” which is where in order to see things clearer, you need to completely disconnect so you have a refreshed perspective of things. This is what I do with people, I open up their perspectives and challenge their views.”



Q: What role do you think mentorship plays in helping to solve some of the pressing issues in the workplace today (i.e. inequality, underserved minority groups, etc.)?&nbsp;



“I think not only mentors have a role to play, but also role models in general. Mentors have the power to impact the lives of other people, and those people will, in turn, impact other people’s lives. But I also believe that even if they’re not called mentors, they can still share some of a mentor’s responsibilities. You can facilitate a lot of important conversations by having good mentors.”



If you want to get mentored by Marinela, <a href="https://www.levelnext.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.levelnext.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a> to apply and sign up with LevelNext today.

Get to know Marinela Tanase — Senior HR Professional and HR Transformation Consultant

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“We get the most meaning from our lives by being able to help and serve others.”<cite>Amanda Jenen</cite></blockquote>



Amanda Jenen is a self-proclaimed advocate for helping others. Throughout her 20+ year career, Amanda has worked her way through several industries and roles ranging from her first job in the semiconductor industry to her current position as an HR manager at American United Federal Credit Union. After getting her start as a manufacturing specialist at Fairchild in 2002, Amanda climbed the corporate ladder to become a device engineering technician by the time she graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Eventually, Amanda transitioned to the telecommunications industry in 2016 where she soon developed a passion and talent for working with people. This helped Amanda naturally progress from various project management roles to HR, a field where she could train and work with people one-on-one more often. To this day, Amanda accredits some of her past mentors as playing a significant role in helping her career flourish, a reason why she now looks to pass on her knowledge and expertise to others through LevelNext.&nbsp;



We sat down with Amanda to gather her thoughts on the role of mentorship in the modern workplace. Here are some highlights:&nbsp;



Q: What qualities do you think make a good mentor?&nbsp;



“A good mentor is like a magical mirror that shows you your best self. But at the same time, they’re also acting as a rock tumbler to break down and smooth out some of those rough edges. They see the gem inside, they see that potential, and they know exactly what they need to do to bring that potential out.”&nbsp;



Q: How do you think mentorship can change the world for the better?&nbsp;



“Whenever another human being is willing to give you their time, energy and care, it is a tremendous gift both professionally and personally. When somebody cares enough to want to pull you up and help you grow, then that is a benefit to both the person giving and the person receiving it…I think that mentorship is possible through human connection and through caring about the growth of another person, and that adds meaning to your professional life and personal life and just helps build more goodness in the world.”



Q: What goal do you want to accomplish through mentoring with LevelNext?&nbsp;



“I want to serve where I can. I want to help whoever is in front of me see the jewel that is inside and help them knock the rough edges off. The joy of being able to watch somebody grow, develop, and achieve their dreams is so meaningful to me. If I can make a difference in somebody’s day, week, or life — even if it’s just one time where they feel like ‘this person saw me’ — that is enough.”



If you want to get mentored by Amanda, <a href="https://www.levelnext.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.levelnext.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a> to apply and sign up with LevelNext today.

Get to know Amanda Jenen — HR Manager

All of us are familiar with family trees.&nbsp;



At the bottom of a family tree diagram we can track a family’s pedigree by moving upward to parents, grandparents, great grandparents and beyond. The family tree is an interesting exercise with universal appeal. They have received added interest with the emergence of cutting-edge technology which allows DNA to link ourselves with our ancestry with remarkable accuracy.&nbsp;



It’s true that to some degree, we are all curious about where we came from.&nbsp;



For those familiar with sports, and especially football, coaching trees, though different than a family tree, have become an interesting phenomenon during the last few decades. A coaching tree shows the relationships of coaches instead of family members.&nbsp;



There are various ways to define a relationship between one coach and another. Most typically, a link from the head coach to an assistant coach within the same staff for at least one season is the way to identify a direct coaching tree relationship. In this way, the assistant coach is counted as a branch of the head coaches coaching tree.&nbsp;



But what does this have to do with mentorship?



Beyond the workings of head coach/assistant coach hierarchy pedigree, the influence and strategy which is passed from one coach to another can make remarkable difference in the career trajectory of the assistant, who can be viewed as a pupil or mentee in this case.&nbsp;



The coaching tree is a lineage of sorts, where receiving tutelage from an esteemed coach has value in the eyes of other organizations which are relentless in their pursuit of championship success. Well trained coaches will always be in high demand.



A perfect example of the coaching tree in action is Bill Walsh. Walsh, best known for being the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers during the eighties, won three SuperBowls and is largely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history.&nbsp;



Walsh left behind some fascinating quotes on leadership. The sampling below captures his approach to leadership:



<ul><li>&#8220;Others follow you based on the quality of your actions rather than the magnitude of your declarations.&#8221;</li><li>&#8220;Few things offer greater return on less investment than praise.&#8221;</li><li>&#8220;Hearing someone described as being able to ‘Fly by the seat of his pants’ always suggests to me a leader who hasn&#8217;t prepared properly and whose pants may soon fall down.&#8221;</li><li>&#8220;Your enthusiasm becomes their enthusiasm; your lukewarm presentation becomes their lukewarm interest in what you&#8217;re offering&#8230;.When the audience is bored, it&#8217;s not their fault.”</li></ul>



The coaching tree which Walsh left behind is just as impressive as his outlook on leadership. Thirty one NFL head coaches are attributed to being a part of Walsh’s coaching tree. Many of those coaches adopted Walsh’s famed West Coast Offense, a revolutionary scheme for its time, which helped evolve the game closer to what modern football is today. Of those thirty one coaches with a direct link to Walsh, more than a third of them would go on to win world championships as head coaches themselves..&nbsp;



In a league where the average head coaching tenure is just three years, many head coaches lasting far less, identifying and duplicating success patterns of a proven, respected predecessor is a luxury that has significant value and meaning.&nbsp;



The ultimate takeaway is an easy connection to make. Within this case, Walsh’s leadership and influence was significant. Because of it, he was able to make an impression on those who followed and adopted Walsh’s methods and approach to the game. Those fortunate to be members of Walsh’s coaching tree certainly had an upper hand in being able to create and nourish their own success story with greater overall direction.&nbsp;



Similarly, mentors have the opportunity to create a coaching tree of sorts of their own.



In theory, mentors are put in the position to lead others based on past successes and acquired wisdom. Advising aspiring professionals within mentorship programs is a highly respected role. As should be the case, and especially on the LevelNext platform, one that is an appointed mentor doesn’t happen by chance. This role is bestowed through significant vetting and consideration.&nbsp;



In return, the mentor has a stage to lead others while providing ideas, direction, and advice which empowers mentees with a stronger ability to make meaningful strides leading to their own success and goals.



What will your coaching tree look like?&nbsp;



A final quote from Coach Walsh himself can help us to understand how to embrace the mentor role with proper focus and vision:&nbsp;



“Concentrate on what will produce results rather than on the results, the process rather than the prize.”



Yours is your chance to lead others to their own championships.

Coaching Trees and Legacy

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Good mentorship is 80% listening, 10% talking, 10% guiding.” <cite>Ryan Prescott</cite></blockquote>



Ryan Prescott has always been a natural teacher. Early in his career, Ryan originally set his sights on becoming a professor after completing his undergraduate program with a PhD candidacy. However, when he met his future wife in college, he made the decision to pivot away from a life in higher education and, instead, began working in special education as a crisis intervention leader for children on the autism spectrum. While this was an extremely fulfilling role for Ryan, he eventually sought to make a change in his career by breaking into the HR world as a director of internship development at Northwestern Mutual. After working on Wall Street for over six years, Ryan moved back to his hometown in Maine where he currently works as the Chief Experience Officer for V2 Strategic Advisors. In his spare time, Ryan enjoys getting in touch with his teaching roots as an ad-hoc mentor, hoping to use LevelNext as a way of expanding his reach and helping as many students and professionals as possible.&nbsp;



We sat down with Ryan to gather his thoughts on the role of mentorship in the modern workplace. Here are some highlights:&nbsp;



Q: What motivates you as a mentor?&nbsp;



“I like helping people who want help finding the little wins. I think a lot of times, people focus on the ‘big goal’, whether it’s their first six-figure career, whether it’s launching their first business. And while it’s important to have a big goal, helping to build a roadmap of what it’s going to take to get there realistically is really rewarding.”&nbsp;



Q: How would you describe your approach to mentorship?&nbsp;



“I think a lot of students and people growing in their career surround themselves with coaches and mentors who are where they want to get to, and that’s great. But sometimes, working with someone who is at the level you want to get to but in an entirely different department or who has a different story can be powerful. Careers are not straight lines and development is not a straight line. I’ve gone up, down, diagonally, and sideways in my career to get to where I am, picking roles that don’t make sense, creating roles for myself that didn’t exist…So I like helping people understand that it’s not always a traditional path to get from A to B.”



Q: Have you ever been mentored by someone? How did that mentorship impact your career or shape you as a person?&nbsp;



“The reality is, I have no reason to be where I am today other than the mentors that helped me get there. I had an incredible mentor in college who, very similar to where I’m at now, had a path that didn’t make any sense. And whenever I sat down with him, his mentorship was all about making it okay for me to be interested in a lot of different things…When I grew up, you were encouraged to play as many different sports as possible. Now, when you’re 10, you’re encouraged to be a specialist and play one sport year round and it’s the only thing you do. And what I loved about my mentor was that there was never a negative reaction when I would sit down and want to learn something new.”



If you want to get mentored by Ryan, <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.levelnext.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.levelnext.com/" target="_blank">click here</a> to apply and sign up with LevelNext today.

Get to know Ryan Prescott — Chief Experience Officer and Life-long Teacher

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“We’re all supposed to use good judgment, but the way to get good judgment is from bad experiences.”<cite>Kent Summers</cite></blockquote>



Kent Summers has seen a lot of ups and downs in his 35-year career. After being laid off from his first job as a project manager at Thiokol in 1992, Kent went on to quickly develop a talent in reinventing himself. Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of positions across a wide range of industries. Whether he was managing leadership development at call centers across the world with AOL, working at Blackberry as a training coach, teaching students as an adjunct professor, or training employees as a learning specialist at Microsoft, Kent has always been good at using his natural talent as a leader and mentor in whatever role he finds himself in. As of today, Kent has been laid off from 10 different positions, however, he makes up for these losses by continuing to expand his professional experience and education. With a masters degree in business education, bachelor’s in business administration, AAS in sales and retailing, and post graduate certificate in industrial training, Kent currently uses his well-rounded set of skills as a director of training and development at North American Services. 



Q: What made you interested in becoming a LevelNext mentor?&nbsp;



“It looked like a fun opportunity to take what I’ve learned and share. We’re all supposed to use good judgment, but the way to get good judgment is from bad experiences…So my goal is to allow people to become self aware and point them in the direction that they want to be, and make sure that they understand all the landmines and problems with that choice. If a person wants to be an entrepreneur, that’s great. I can tell them all the good things about that, but I’ve also experienced all the bad things.”



Q: Have you ever been mentored by someone? How did that mentorship impact your career or shape you as a person?&nbsp;



“Carl Grunander was the teacher for all of my classes one quarter at Weber State, and we got to be more friends than student/teacher. In that relationship, I relaxed because he was my bud and I turned in an assignment one day that he looked at and said ‘Is this your best work?’ I said ‘probably not’ and he said ‘Then why are you wasting my time?’ That affected the rest of my career and is a one-liner I have used often in my coaching of others.&nbsp;



Q: What qualities do you think make a good mentor?&nbsp;



“A mentor has to be the one in the relationship that has some discipline and be able to have the hard conversations and then go have lunch afterwards. They need to be very sharp and direct, but also not be judgemental…I’m a boomer and have worked with every age group, and when you get into a real mentoring relationship, none of that matters. Everybody brings something positive to the party, everybody brings something that’s less than positive, and everybody has blind spots.”



If you want to get mentored by Kent, <a href="https://www.levelnext.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.levelnext.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a> to apply and sign up with LevelNext today.

Get to know Kent Summers — Director of Training and Development

Everyone’s career path is unique. Your ultimate destination may be defined, vague, or largely unknown — and that’s OK. As a business professional, you are your very own trailblazer. Your timeline to success is never guaranteed, but the decisions you make today will set the precedent for your career years into the future.&nbsp;



This article includes 5 tactics you can use in order to move forward on your respective career path with more clarity, to achieve a greater output, and to become the best version of yourself in the process. 



<h4>Listen to those who have gone before </h4>



The old adage of working hard versus working smart will always be a relevant one. Working the smart way may not always be simple. However, listening to predecessors who have charted their own paths leading to desired outcomes can provide clarity and significant value.&nbsp;



Mentors can provide remarkable influence and clarity through suggestions and instruction based on real experiences. In a way, a mentor can act as a cheat code of sorts, empowering their student mentees to avoid pitfalls and unnecessary obstacles that can hinder career progression. Through listening and understanding the value of those who came before you, you can move forward by working very smart indeed. 



<h4>Seek to be you</h4>



As early as preschool or elementary education, children are taught to embrace their unique values and characteristics. As Oscar Wilde perfectly stated, “Be you, everyone else is already taken.”&nbsp;



Through this lens, it’s important to acknowledge and accept that your path will be different from others. No two paths are the same, and because of that, you will have your own unique perspective and value. You will also have your own mountaintop to climb, which is something you should focus on rather than trying to follow others’ paths to theirs.



<h4>Seek passion over money</h4>



It may be easy to set a course with the hopes of chasing the almighty dollar. Don’t do it. Seek your passion first. Author Colin Wright once said “Chase your passions and the money will come. Chase money and you may never find your passions.” Your unique professional value will never be fully realized if money is the driving force behind your efforts.



<h4>Seek excellence</h4>



True leadership and impact are never born from mediocre output and effort. Regardless of industry — be it technology, manufacturing, marketing, food, finance, or beyond — there are too many professionals nowadays who are willing to work on auto-pilot. We’ve all seen them; those content to skate by doing just enough to maintain employment, those who are at work but engaged on their phone far too often, or those who spend too much of their energy cutting down others with negativity. Instead, seek excellence. Raise your game. Go the extra mile. Your unique career path will look average with an average approach.



<h4>Be kind </h4>



As you blaze your career path, you may feel overwhelmed at times. You will feel unprepared, you will feel lost, and you will likely feel defeated at times. We offer a simple suggestion to help combat these challenges: kindness.&nbsp;



Practicing kindness along your journey will help it feel more meaningful with each step. Studies have shown that giving compliments can make us even happier than receiving them. Organizations and workplaces are benefited significantly through those who seek to practice outward mindsets, which, in turn, influence cultures. Can you think of somebody whose example of kindness impacted your career? Of course you can. There’s no reason why you cannot bring kindness to your work environment and not make a difference. You’ll likely enjoy it.&nbsp;



Regardless of how your own career path has taken shape up to this point, you can change course for the better. Whether that’s through the adoption of any or all of the aforementioned tactics, by engaging with a mentor who can point you in the right direction, or both, you are the master of your destiny and reach desired outcomes through your efforts, starting today.

5 Tactics to Become the Greatest Version of You

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“A good mentor looks out for others before themselves.” <cite>Jake Rushton</cite></blockquote>



Jake Rushton developed an expertise in financial mentorship early on in his 17+ year career. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Utah, Jake originally set his sights on becoming a dentist before falling into the investment industry “by accident” in 2007. At the beginning of his career, Jake worked in various financial roles at companies like Goldman Sachs and Wealth Navigation Advisors LLC before discovering his passion for working with 401ks as a director in retirement at GBS Benefits. Since then, Jake has spent the last seven years building his career around helping other financial advisors understand and sell 401ks effectively. Today, he balances his time running his own 401k-centered business and working as a director of sales and managing director at SRP Intermountain. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://blog.levelnext.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image2-1-1024x683.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-233" srcset="https://blog.levelnext.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image2-1-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://blog.levelnext.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image2-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://blog.levelnext.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image2-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://blog.levelnext.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image2-1-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://blog.levelnext.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/image2-1-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



We sat down with Jake to gather his thoughts on the role of mentorship in the modern workplace. Here are some highlights:&nbsp;



Q: What made you interested in becoming a LevelNext mentor?&nbsp;



“I just really enjoy leaving an impact. It’s not all about chasing dollars, it’s about what you’re going to do that’s going to be remembered by people and help them more&#8230;I’m already heavily involved with individual advisors that need help. I’m really good at sitting down and helping an advisor get further in this industry, so if I can help more people faster, that’s what I’m looking for.”&nbsp;



Q: Have you ever been mentored by someone? How did that mentorship impact your career or shape you as a person?&nbsp;



“There have been good and bad ones, and recently, there have been a few great ones. I’ve been working with a new company and have known the two managing partners for about a year and a half now. I told them what I wanted to build, and they were already kind of doing the same thing, so they just gave me direction and were really patient with it. Then when the timing was right, it all came together really well. Now it’s just really great working with them on a daily basis as we try to build something so much bigger.”&nbsp;



Q: How do you think mentorship can change the world for the better?&nbsp;&nbsp;



“There’s a lot that can be done in so many different industries to bring in more people and teach them the impact they can leave. I think that’s why I love the 401k industry so much, because you have a reach to so many people…When you think about how people go through their careers, each one is a unique and amazing story full of big ups and downs, so there’s definitely a need for this kind of mentorship everywhere.”



If you want to get mentored by Jake, <a href="https://www.levelnext.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.levelnext.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a> to apply and sign up with LevelNext today.

Get to know Jake Rushton — Finance Expert and 401(k)lub Founder

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“Mentorship is not just about sharing your experience and telling the other person what to do. It’s a better dynamic when the mentor is also paying attention and learning from the mentee on a peer level.”&nbsp;<cite>Lilian Phung</cite></blockquote>



Lilian Phung has a unique reason for entering the world of mentorship. After moving to the United States from Vietnam as a child, Lilian grew up struggling to navigate between two different cultures — one as a daughter of Vietnamese and Chinese parents and another as a student in the American school system. This conflict later carried over into the professional world as Lilian grew older. As the first person in her household to enter the corporate workforce, Lilian didn’t have many people in her life who she could turn to for professional advice. This is partly what inspired her to volunteer as a mentor with organizations like APIA (Asian and Pacific Islander American) Scholars and AAPA (Asian American Professional Association). Throughout the past five years, Lilian has dedicated her time to helping students and professionals develop their careers as both a leadership coach and mentor who specializes in self-development and building communities, while continuing to expand her skill in mentoring, coaching, and different areas in the human resources field.&nbsp;&nbsp;



We sat down with Lilian to gather her thoughts on the role of mentorship in the modern workplace. Here are some highlights:&nbsp;



Q: How would you describe your approach to mentorship?&nbsp;



“The way I approach mentorship is I incorporate coaching into it where I don’t just give advice, but also ask my mentees questions that help them think through what it is they’re looking for, because I think that we don’t get that enough today. We’re not taught how to think, we’re told what to think. And so it’s a little bit of an adjustment, but it’s really beneficial for mentees as they continue to go through their professional track.”&nbsp;



Q: How has mentorship had an impact on your life and career?&nbsp;



“Professionally, I would say mentorship ties me to being more patient and empathetic, so it helps me grow that way. But I think for me, the real reward is that it takes me back to when I was growing up and keeps me humble. One of the things I do on top of my regular job is I am a scholarship reader with APIA Scholars, where I basically just read scholarship applications from highschool and college students. And the stories and challenges that they share really takes me back to my beginning and reminds me of how far I’ve come.”&nbsp;



Q: What role do you think mentorship plays in helping to solve some of the bigger issues present in the workplace today (i.e. inequality, underserved minority groups, etc.)?&nbsp;



“I’ve seen a shift in the mentoring relationship lately where it’s now a combination between mentoring and leadership. What that means to me is people are looking for someone who will give advice and recommendations, but also models behaviors to really lead the way and show the next generation not just what tends to work, but also what you can do to be innovative and creative…And so when we work collaboratively together, I believe that’s where we can design better solutions to address what’s happening right now in the real world.”&nbsp;



If you want to get mentored by Lilian, <a href="https://www.levelnext.com/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.levelnext.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">click here</a> to apply and sign up with LevelNext today.&nbsp;

Get to know Lilian Phung — HR Manager, Leadership Coach, and Mentor

Mentorship is universally accepted as a strategy that offers incredible benefits, both to mentors and mentees alike. While mentees may experience higher job satisfaction, confidence, increased productivity, clarity of purpose, and faster career development as a result of mentorship, mentors are also able to enjoy fulfillment in giving back, stronger validation, increased relevance, and the development of a stronger following.



But the most effective mentorship engagements don’t happen by chance. Just as running a successful business doesn’t happen at random, there must be a proper foundation set within a mentorship that gives participants the greatest chance of a positive experience.&nbsp;



At LevelNext, we believe that there are 4 C’s of Mentoring. Learning these elements will help you build your own mutually beneficial mentorship where everyone — not just the mentee — can walk away feeling accomplished.&nbsp;



<h4>Commitment</h4>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“When you are committed to something, you accept no excuses &#8211; only results.” <cite>Ken Blanchard</cite></blockquote>



For any mentor/mentee relationship, commitment is not only imperative from the start, it must also be a shared value throughout the whole process. Mentorships should be viewed as a commitment, because that’s what they are. They require ongoing effort from both sides to track relevant progress and to understand that true success is achieved through an evolution, not a revolution. Entering into the engagement with eyes wide open to these facts should be the expectation.&nbsp;



If you were fortunate enough to have a mentor during your career, you can probably identify the hours your mentor may have sacrificed on your behalf. In today’s digital environment where interactions are held online, time and effort should be authentic and significant.&nbsp;



To sum up, if mentors are not committed to the process, they cannot expect the mentee to buy into the process.



<h4>Communication</h4>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The art of communication is the language of leadership.”<cite>James Humes</cite></blockquote>



Effective communication today requires a structured approach. Just as successful public speakers typically organize their thoughts into three main segments (i.e., the introduction, the body, and the conclusion), a similarly structured approach within mentorship will allow stronger value.&nbsp;



Here are some tips to keep in mind as you communicate with your own mentees:&nbsp;



<ul><li>Prepare in advance: Spend time thinking about potential talking points that could be of benefit to the mentee.</li><li>Ask questions: Questions and clarifying questions from the mentor will help guide the conversation and engagement with greater understanding and potential outcome.</li><li>Set expectations &amp; objectives: Don’t be afraid to challenge the mentee with tasks that enable growth and perspective.&nbsp;</li><li>Follow through: When progress is tracked, overlapping time will be mitigated.&nbsp;</li></ul>



By utilizing a stronger approach to communication strategy, mentorship interactions will offer a stronger return for both sides.&nbsp;



<h4>Clarity&nbsp;</h4>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“The greatest beauty always lies in the greatest clarity.” <cite>Gotthold Ephraim Lessing</cite></blockquote>



When clarity is absent in mentorship, the mentor and mentee may often spend time speaking past each other. Within the LevelNext platform, every minute is critical and should be treated with significant value. To ensure this, effort to establish remarkable clarity should be a goal.&nbsp;



An easy way to establish stronger clarity with a mentee is to reverse engineer — which, as some tech gurus may know, is a process where software, machines, aircraft, architectural structures and other products are deconstructed to extract design information from them.&nbsp;&nbsp;



In a mentorship, reverse engineering can be used to help you identify and focus your desired results. By looking at the goal as the final destination, a reverse engineering pattern can be established to outline a strategy that helps you reach that finish line.&nbsp;



Clarifying questions and restating are also beneficial exercises for achieving stronger clarity. By asking your mentee questions throughout the meeting, you will be better equipped to prevent any misunderstanding, confusion, or ambiguity from occurring. Restating and emphasizing certain information can also help you establish a greater level of understanding with your mentee.&nbsp;



Through approaches such as reverse engineering, clarifying questions, and restating, enhanced clarity will lead to increased understanding and a stronger shared fulfillment for both parties.&nbsp;



<h4>Coaching</h4>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.” <cite>John Wooden</cite></blockquote>



While coaching and mentoring should be viewed as two different things, adopting a coaching approach with your mentee can be immensely beneficial if done correctly.&nbsp;



As a mentor, you’ll help others to grow and develop through your knowledge, skill, and experience.&nbsp;



Coaching, on the other hand, is a stronger focus on performance, ultimately enabling a mentee to reach the desired potential.&nbsp;



While the expectation of LevelNext mentors is to guide those seeking career development, extra efforts to track performance can unlock greater growth if both mentor and mentee are agreed upon desired outcomes.&nbsp;



By learning and implementing the 4 C’s of Mentorship within your LevelNext experiences, your ability to reach peak levels of persuasion and impact will be greatly enhanced.

The 4 C’s of Mentoring

People tend to think that mentorships are only good for one reason: to give up-and-coming professionals a chance to advance in their career —&nbsp;but that’s not always the case. In some of the best mentoring relationships, the mentor can often end up learning just as much as the mentee. Because of this, it’s important for you as a mentee to pay attention to the way you engage with your mentor. Do you respect their boundaries? Are you present in all of your interactions? Do you ask follow-up questions that test you and your mentor’s knowledge?&nbsp;



Paying attention to these little details can be a factor that determines whether or not your relationship is built to last. As a mentee, you must remember that a mentorship is a two-way street. Just like any other relationship, it can fall apart if you don’t nurture and care for it. In order to ensure your mentorship is mutually beneficial, here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind as you start engaging with mentors through LevelNext.&nbsp;



<h4>DO pre-prep and set goals</h4>



Your mentor is taking precious time out of their busy schedule to help you succeed in your career, so the least you can do is come to your meetings prepared. Before you start talking with your mentor on a regular basis, make sure you already have clear expectations and goals in your mind for what you want to get out of this experience. That way, you can ensure every meeting is as productive as possible.&nbsp;



<h4>DON’T disrespect your mentor’s time&nbsp;</h4>



You wouldn’t want your boss calling you after hours to talk about work, so why should your mentor? It’s important to remember that your mentor has a life of their own. They are not on call for you 24/7. As you begin forming new relationships with industry experts, it would be wise for both of you to set boundaries early on for how much time you’re willing to commit. This will help create a relationship where everyone feels like they are being treated with respect. 



<h4>DO show appreciation&nbsp;</h4>



At the end of the day, mentors (just like everyone else) love being appreciated — and the best way to show appreciation is through active listening. Make sure you are paying attention and taking notes whenever your mentor is giving you advice. Sure, you may not end up applying everything they say to your career specifically. However, by listening with an open mind, you will show your mentor how much you appreciate their insight and, as a result, foster a stronger, healthier mentoring relationship.



<h4>DON’T take advice for granted&nbsp;</h4>



Sometimes it’s hard to admit when we’re wrong — but that’s what being a mentee is all about. In order to get the most out of your mentorship, you need to be able to swallow your pride and give your mentor the freedom to guide you. It can be a natural instinct to speak up to defend yourself, offer an explanation, or argue with your mentor when receiving feedback or criticism. However, this will only hurt your relationship in the long run.&nbsp;



<h4>DO get to know your mentor</h4>



Just because a person is your mentor doesn’t mean they can’t also be your friend. Sometimes, the best mentorships are born when both parties are able to peel back the formal, professional layers and get to know each other on a deeper level. Don’t be afraid to express interest in your mentor’s life outside of their career. Establishing that personal connection can be important (and often the most rewarding part) in a mentoring relationship.&nbsp;



<h4>DON’T be too personal&nbsp;</h4>



While it’s good to be personable in your mentoring relationship, you should also avoid being too personal. Remember, you&#8217;re talking to your mentor — not your therapist. Try to refrain from involving your mentor too much in unrelated personal matters. At the end of the day, their primary objective is to help you in your career. You should also be sensitive to their privacy when asking them personal questions. Surface-level topics revolving around hobbies or interests are most likely safe to bring up. However, it&#8217;s always a good idea to read your mentor&#8217;s body language in order to gauge whether or not they are comfortable disclosing certain personal information.

The Dos and Don’ts of Engaging With Your Mentor

It’s no secret that a mentoring relationship can be extremely valuable for professionals in the modern marketplace. It plays a key role in helping up and coming employees climb the corporate ladder while also giving industry experts an outlet to continue learning — but it’s only effective when the mentor-mentee relationship is a good match. In order for both parties to walk away satisfied, compatibility is a crucial factor to success. So, how can you determine whether a mentor is right for you?



If you think about it, starting off a mentorship is a lot like dating. Finding a willing partner on a dating app is not necessarily the hard part — it’s figuring out whether or not that person could be boyfriend or girlfriend material that takes a lot more time and effort. Similarly, LevelNext takes the difficulty of meeting potential mentors out of the equation. However, it’s up to you to decipher which of those mentors is the best fit. Here are some tips for how you can test the compatibility between you and your mentor.&nbsp;



<h4 id="how-do-they-make-you-feel">How Do They Make You Feel?</h4>



It’s important as you start forming mentoring relationships that you pay attention to the way your mentor makes you feel. If you ever find yourself feeling inferior and discouraged after meeting with your mentor, that may be a tell-tale sign that they aren’t a good fit for you. The right mentor will always make you feel empowered to take initiative in your own learning. You may not always feel 100% comfortable, but that’s a good thing. You will know your mentor is a good fit when they find the right balance between pushing you outside of your comfort zone and making you feel like you’re capable of achieving anything.&nbsp;



<h4 id="do-they-challenge-you">Do They Challenge You?&nbsp;</h4>



The best mentorships aren’t often the easiest. It’s important that your mentor challenges you and pushes you to new heights. They may even let you stumble and make mistakes, but they will always be there to help you get back on the right track. You want your mentor to act as a voice of guidance, but leave the hands-on learning to you. If they step in to do everything for you the moment things get hard, that will only hinder your progress. Make sure that your mentor gives you the freedom to work at your own pace. At the end of the day, they are here to help you carve out your own career pathway by sharing their knowledge and experiences —&nbsp; not by giving you a cheatsheet.&nbsp;



<h4 id="how-are-they-similar-different">How Are They Similar/Different?</h4>



Most relationships in life are often based on the similarities that two people share. However, when it comes to mentorships, the more different you are from your mentor, the better. In order to effectively learn and grow, you need to be exposed to new perspectives — that’s where your mentor comes in. Even though it may seem logical at the time, you don’t want to choose a mentor who is exactly like you. Ideally, your mentor will be someone with a different background or expertise who can teach you new skills or approaches to a problem. Sure, it may not always stick, but mentors are a great opportunity to expose yourself, try something new, and see how it goes.

How To Know Which Mentor Is Right For You￼

In any given industry, success isn’t always a result of what you know — but rather who you know. While building a network of trusted peers is advice typically given to mentees, mentors can also profit from doing the same thing. As a mentor, you have the unique opportunity to gain valuable insights from the different perspectives of people you teach. But more importantly, mentoring also lets you expand your professional network and spark new relationships with people in your field, something that can play a key role in helping you solidify your place as an expert and establish your legacy.&nbsp;



In order to start creating those connections, however, you first need to master the art of attraction. As the market of mentoring continues to grow, it’s becoming more and more difficult for experienced professionals (like you) to stand out from the crowd. So, how can you showcase your skills and start getting mentees to reach out? Here are some tips for establishing credibility.&nbsp;



<h4 id="stay-up-to-date">Stay Up To Date</h4>



Changes happen in every line of work — even yours. No matter how experienced or skilled you may be in your industry, there’s always more to learn. It’s important that you keep an eye out for updates and advancements in the workplace, whether they be technological, social, or political. Not only will staying up to date ensure that you provide the best guidance possible to mentees, but it can also work wonders for maintaining your reputation and credibility. The last thing you want as a new mentor is to come across out of touch or (even worse) old-fashioned to up-and-coming professionals in the market.&nbsp;



<h4 id="practice-what-you-preach">Practice What You Preach</h4>



Nothing discredits a mentor quite like talking the talk, but not being able to walk the walk. As you build your curriculum and start dishing out advice to mentees, it’s important that you remember to always teach from your own experience. Use tangible examples from your career that apply to your mentee’s situation. Or better yet, walk them through a problem in real time, demonstrating how you would go about finding the right solution. Your goal as a mentor is to show your mentee how to overcome challenges in their career, not tell them.&nbsp;



<h4 id="use-problem-solving-skills">Use Problem Solving Skills&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>



The easiest and most effective way to generate word of mouth and gain credibility as a mentor is through actually helping solve your mentees’ problems. Some mentors like to talk a big game without ever saying anything of real value — but that’s not going to be you. As a top tier LevelNext mentor, you are going to let your experience and problem solving skills speak for themselves. When a mentee seeks out an industry expert for advice, it’s not because they have extra time on their hands they’re trying to kill. It’s because they’re looking for real answers to real issues. By helping them reach a solution, you will gain a loyal business contact (and, some might say, even a friend) for life.

How To Expand Your Network And Establish Credibility Through Mentoring

In the business world (or rather, any competitive environment), most people start at the bottom and work their way up — but they often don’t do it alone. As a seasoned expert, you’ve likely been in a position at one point in your career where you received advice from a mentor that shaped who you are as a professional. Now, it’s time for you to pass that knowledge on to someone else who needs it. But before you get started just yet, there are some steps you need to take in order to ensure you’re ready to be a mentor.&nbsp;



Believe it or not, not every mentor is a natural born leader. For some, it may take years to develop the right communication and listening skills for the job. For others, acting as the authority in a teacher-student environment comes easy. Regardless of which category you fall into, here are some tips for how you can best prepare yourself for being the best LevelNext mentor possible.&nbsp;



<h4 id="get-acquainted-with-your-mentee">Get Acquainted With Your Mentee</h4>



It may seem obvious, but one of the most important things you can do before taking up the mantle of a LevelNext mentor is to get to know your mentee. What are their career aspirations? What are they currently struggling with that you can help solve? Schedule a meeting with your mentee and come prepared with a list of questions that will help clarify their needs. Start with an overview of their background and goals, then dig deeper. By the end of the first meeting, you should feel acquainted enough with your mentee to the point where both of you can start feeling more comfortable peeling back the layers.&nbsp;



<h4 id="organize-your-curriculum-empathetically">Organize Your Curriculum Empathetically</h4>



Remember what it was like when you were still finding your footing earlier in your career? Keep that mind as you organize your mentoring curriculum. In order to be a great mentor, you need to be empathetic to your mentee’s struggles. Put yourself in their shoes as you find material and resources to guide them. What is something you wish you would have known as a young professional? What would have helped you take the next step in your career sooner? Asking yourself these questions will put you in the right mindset to advise your mentee effectively.&nbsp;



<h4 id="plan-your-communication">Plan Your Communication</h4>



You and your mentee could be two peas in a pod in every way possible — but if your communication styles don’t complement each other, the relationship as a whole likely won’t be sustainable. That’s why it is critical to identify your mentee’s communication style early on and adapt yours accordingly. For instance, if your mentee is sensitive to criticism, it may help to offer a little positive reinforcement before giving feedback to help them feel more more self-assured. It’s also a good idea to know what communication outlets your mentee uses the most. If they prefer email over talking on the phone, take that into consideration as you plan your correspondence with then in the future.&nbsp;



<h4 id="have-an-open-mind">Have An Open Mind&nbsp;</h4>



You have gotten to the position you are in today by doing things “right” — but there are many right ways to solve a problem. As a mentor, it is important that you keep an open mind when offering advice to your mentee. Your past experiences may not be as relevant to professionals today as they once were, and that’s OK. Be willing to step outside of your comfort zone and adapt your teachings to fit the needs of your mentee. In some cases, it may be better to allow your mentee to even try out their own approaches. Sure, they may fail. But who knows? At the end of the day, the two of you may walk away from the experience having learned something new. Remember, no career pathway is going to look exactly the same as yours, but with a little luck and determination, both can have the same outcome.

4 Ways To Prepare For Being A LevelNext Mentor

In every mentorship, it’s often assumed (even expected) that the mentor should be the person calling the shots. However, if you think back to some of the greatest mentorships in history, you’ll notice that they all have one thing in common: the mentee was usually the one driving the relationship — and there’s a reason for that. Mentors are very busy people, which means they probably have better things to worry about than helping you succeed in your career. It’s up to you to make sure they hold up their end of the bargain. But how exactly do you do that?&nbsp;



As a mentee, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking of your mentor as an authority figure. You may feel inclined to sit back, relax, and let your mentor take the wheel. But if you really want to get the most out of your LevelNext experience, you need to start thinking of your mentorship as a two-way street. Here are some tips for how you can start making every minute with your mentor count.&nbsp;



<h4 id="set-reasonable-expectations">Set Reasonable Expectations&nbsp;</h4>



The first step to building a strong mentoring relationship is to go in with the right expectations for what your mentor is and is not. Under the Oxford Dictionary, a mentor is a person who advises and helps somebody with less experience over a period of time. In your case, this could be anyone who provides you with the tools, guidance, support, and feedback you need to succeed in your career. However, a mentor is NOT a sponsor or boss. This is important to remember as you start setting expectations and forming relationships with mentors. At the end of the day, they are here to share their knowledge and experience with you, not give you a job or money.&nbsp;



<h4 id="be-specific">Be Specific&nbsp;</h4>



The biggest mistake you can make going into a mentoring relationship is not setting specific goals beforehand. In order to avoid wasting everyone’s time, make sure to ask yourself the hard questions. What do you hope to accomplish? What made you seek out a mentor in the first place? A lot of struggling professionals often say they need someone who can help guide them, but if you don’t have a roadmap for where you want them to guide you to, you’re not going to get a lot of value out of that relationship. Do you actually want a mentor, or are you really looking for someone who can sponsor you or give you connections? Knowing what you need is the first step — finding the right person is the second.&nbsp;



<h4 id="actively-listen">Actively Listen</h4>



Because mentors’ time is usually limited, you’ll more than likely be getting a lot of information thrown your way at once throughout your mentorship. That’s why it is crucial for you to practice active listening at all times. Avoid getting overwhelmed by taking notes on your mentor’s guidance, experiences, and feedback. When speaking with your mentor, don’t feel the need to write down every word they say. Instead, take the time to listen and comprehend while also summarizing their key points. Show them that you value their time by making eye contact and asking relevant follow up questions. If appropriate, you can even ask to record your meetings in order to avoid missing any insights.&nbsp;



<h4 id="attend-and-set-meetings-frequently">Attend And Set Meetings Frequently</h4>



It may sound obvious, but the key to maintaining a successful mentoring relationship is to set and attend meetings with your mentor as much as possible. You can email back and forth all day, but in order to get the most out of this experience, you need to be able to talk with your mentor one on one in either a physical or virtual setting at least once a week. If you don’t, you’ll likely never move past the surface level conversations, which —&nbsp;while useful — don’t offer the same kind of insights and benefits as a face-to-face conversation. Suggest a few different days and times you are available on a weekly basis and let your mentor decide which one works best. If circumstances arise where you need to miss a meeting, make sure you let your mentor know well in advance in order to avoid wasting their time.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Mentorship

Everyone knows that mentees have a lot to gain from a mentoring relationship. After all, they’re the ones receiving the advice from experts who have already paid their dues, put in the work, and carved a pathway for success. In many cases, a mentee will walk away from a mentorship with confidence, connections, and maybe even a job. But what does the mentor get out of the deal?&nbsp;



Despite what many people think, mentorships do not have to be a one-way street. There are countless ways mentors can benefit from the relationship and build transferable skills that add to their individual and professional experiences. Here are just a few reasons why you should become a mentor.&nbsp;



<h4 id="making-connections">Making Connections</h4>



No matter what stage you are at in life or your career, networking is always a good thing. You’re going to get in touch with dozens of people from different walks of life — some of whom you’ll stay in contact with for many years to come. As you mentor these people over a longer period of time, you’ll help them grow into more prominent positions and roles. This will leave you with a network of people who are extremely thankful for your guidance and will look for any opportunity they can to return the favor.&nbsp;&nbsp;



<h4 id="building-credibility">Building Credibility&nbsp;</h4>



It’s one thing to be proficient (maybe even exceptional) in your career field of choice, but it’s entirely another to be a mentor that others in that field look up to. In the professional world, nothing builds clout quite like a person setting aside their ego and entrusting you to guide them toward a more fruitful career. If you want to build credibility, mentees can be the living success stories you keep in your back pocket to show off to your peers — proving you have what it takes to level up in your own career.&nbsp;



<h4 id="learning-new-perspectives">Learning New Perspectives</h4>



There comes a point in every expert’s career where the learning stops and you officially become stuck in your old ways. This is when the benefits of mentoring become even more lucrative. It may sound contradictory, but the best way to learn is through teaching. This is because teaching automatically requires you to have in-depth knowledge of the subject. But more importantly, teaching also opens the door for reverse mentoring, where the mentor ends up learning from the mentee. Everyone has different perspectives to bring to the table. As a senior-level employee or manager, working with a mentee may allow you to learn about new up and coming tools in the marketplace — perhaps sparking an idea for your next big business venture.&nbsp;



<h4 id="rediscovering-your-motivation">Rediscovering Your Motivation</h4>



After working in the same industry for 20+ years, you start to get burnt out. Every day feels repetitive, your development becomes stagnant, and you begin to feel like you’ve seen and done it all. Being a mentor can help break you out of that monotony by rekindling the passion you once had for your work. When you teach and interact with younger professionals who are hungry to learn, that excitement and enthusiasm is bound to rub off on your own motivation and, ultimately, get you out of that senior-level slump.&nbsp;



<h4 id="satisfaction">Satisfaction</h4>



Why do some people like to grow houseplants or refurbish old furniture as a hobby? It’s because we as human beings find satisfaction in seeing progress — seeing growth. Think about it, every great story in pop culture follows the hero’s journey: the protagonist starts out immature and native, then eventually grows into the hero they were meant to be. Through mentoring, you get to play the role of Obi Wan Kenobi helping Luke Skywalker become a Jedi or Dumbledore helping Harry Potter defeat Voldemort. You get the satisfaction of knowing you had a hand in helping a person grow.&nbsp;