I surprise others all the time when I share that I have several fantastic mentors I meet with on a regular basis. I started doing this because I knew I wanted to be an amazing woman, and I realize that amazing women do not just happen. They have great mentors.  

Yes, I work for a local nonprofit that specializes in mentoring, and through one of our programs, I am a mentor to a student in middle school who really needs my support.  But I’m also a mentor through another program here in our community designed for high school students and I mentor college students who need support from an alumni who’s been in their shoes.

If you spend time on the Internet looking up women’s leadership conferences or tips for being a successful woman business leader, you’ll read about mentoring. There is truth to what you read. We all want to be successful in what we do but when we hear the word “mentor,” we automatically connect it with a large time commitment that, frankly, we just can’t fit in. Plus, don’t we personally have to be of a certain age to be a mentor ourselves? Where would one even start to find a mentor?

Let me squash the first myth of time commitment – yes, it takes time but not as much as you think. Second, you can fit it in. Third, mentors come from all ages and generations. Lastly, you can find a mentor anywhere from any industry.

First, ask yourself how much time you have available and what you want to learn from a mentor. Think of people you admire or want to learn more from, inside and outside your current position. Ask a few of these people to meet for coffee and share that you want to learn from them. See if a natural relationship develops that is mutually beneficial for both of you. Mentoring can be formal or informal. You decide how often you want to meet, and work together to find the right balance.

Next, consider if you have time to be a mentor for someone else. Again, this doesn’t have to be time consuming. You can mentor students through great programs right here in Des Moines (www.beamentordm.org is a great place to start), and there are a handful of fantastic local breakfast clubs or groups comprised of outstanding professional women. Reach out to your local college or university, or even to others in your field to offer your expertise. Help develop other women business leaders!

A few simple things to keep in mind: time is valuable. Your time is valuable and so is the time of those who will mentor you. Come prepared with questions to ask of your mentors, and help guide those you mentor to do the same. Ask tough questions and be a great listener.

I promise you will not only grow personally, but professionally. One of my favorite proverbs says it all.

“If you light a lamp for someone it will also brighten your own path.” – Buddhist proverb

CONNECTION POINTS

Connect wiith Fitzgerald via email or phone at 515-288-9025, ext. 224. She also is onFacebook and LinkedIn.