The magic of a mentor

There may be a special 'good career fairy' waiting for you at work. Photo: Michel O Sullivan

Generations have grown up watching The Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, some of these peopld think the workplace is like the movie. They believe that all it takes to find job satisfaction is to work really hard, have some courage, do all the right things and everything magically turns out all right.
The truth is that the yellow brick road leading to the Emerald City of career satisfaction rarely exists. The workplace is real and you'll have to make your own breaks.
Yet, while you may encounter seemingly heartless "tin" men and women, "cowardly lions" of both genders, several people who seem to have straw-filled heads, and a wicked witch or two, there may be a special "good career fairy" waiting for you.

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A mentor can help you navigate the real workplace road, avoid the pitfalls and vanquish the metaphorical "wicked witches" along the way.
Some companies like Dow Chemical have formal mentoring programs in which they match experienced employees with new hires to help them get adjusted and build a career path. If your company doesn't offer such a program, go looking for your own mentor.
Mentors don't have to be someone you work with. While many people find mentors at work, your mentor can come from anywhere. Some folks find mentors in professional organisations. Mentors can be found in your family. Friends are often good sources of mentorship.
Pick someone you respect and who is a leader in his or her circle. Good mentors have experience. They aren't always older than you are, but they are always wiser based on having been where you are and having leaped over the hurdles. They have no ulterior motives and put your best interests first.
A good mentor will meet with you on a regular basis. Your time together may be an informal walk around your workplace grounds during your break, or formal sit-down meetings at lunch, dinner or after work.
Good mentors are trustworthy. You can confide in your mentor and not worry about your confidences being blown. You can trust a good mentor to be honest with you, sometimes brutally so. A good mentor keeps current with your progress and motivates you to take action when necessary. And a good mentor rejoices in your success.
The mentor-protege relationship is fragile but very rewarding. To be a good mentor, you'll have to take on a "big brother" or "big sister" role. You may find yourself counselling not only on work matters, but on health, spirituality and family relationships. And good mentors build their proteges up. They shine a light on skills, strengths and abilities.
Don't charge for mentoring. This should be a pro-bono experience. Be someone who can be trusted; encourage your protege and help him or her visualise and avoid pitfalls before falling into the pit. Be firm and don't be afraid to hold your protege accountable for his or her actions. Be honest about situations and workplace dynamics. Telling it like it is may seem painful, but will be best in the long run.
As 19th-century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli said: "The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own."
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Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/executive-style/management/the-magic-of-a-mentor-20110726-1hxtk.html#ixzz1TBGlVjeQ