Elite Introductions - Media Room

NineMSN - October 2007                                                       

How to find a great mentor

by Fiona Sandiford

Their guru-like guidance can prove invaluable to your career. But how do you find a great mentor?

Getting a mentor could be the smartest career move you ever make. Research from Heidrick & Struggles leadership consultancy shows that people who have mentors are more likely to get promoted than their non-mentored colleagues. What's more, they report more job satisfaction.

Trudy Gilbert, 33, started her own dating agency, Elite Introductions two years ago. "A mentor was a godsend. He's a family friend and he'd had over 12 years experience running his own business importing and selling watches," says Trudy. "Not only did he encourage me, he made me feel I wasn’t alone. He understood the rollercoaster of emotions."

Her mentor's expertise also helped her financially. "During a slow patch, he asked me 'What marketing are you doing?' " says Trudy. "I was only exploring a few avenues and he said, 'Is that it?' He opened my eyes to other possibilities such as e-marketing, promotions and events."

Having a mentor — someone more experienced who acts as your sounding board and confidential advice-giver — reassures you that someone's been there before and still came out smiling. "Mentoring also helps you develop skill sets and adapt your management style," says Peter Sheahan, who runs a boutique consultancy on workforce trends and generational change (www.petersheahan.com.au). "Plus, it's a good way of diffusing work angst."

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