If you’ve heard the term ‘mentor’ before, you may have figured out what people were talking about from some context clues. When you ask, “What is a mentor?” you might come across several different definitions. Google uses this definition: an experienced and trusted advisor. In its verb form, the definition of mentor is: advise or train (someone, especially a younger colleague).
So, when you ask what is a mentor? you might be thinking of specific roles in a person’s life or particular people. Why is mentorship so important? Let’s take a closer look at the definition and role of a mentor in personal and professional growth.
What is a Mentor by Definition?
What is a mentor?
Since the official definition of mentor uses the term “advisor,” it is best to know exactly what that entails. Google defines an advisor as a person who gives advice in a particular field. So that means what is a mentor? is answered like this: a mentor is a trusted and experienced person who gives advice in a specific field.
What is the importance of having a mentor for personal or professional growth? Consider what it might be like to go through life – be it work or personally – without someone who’s done it before. If you created your own company, you might feel like no one else understands your struggles and challenges. But guess what? So many entrepreneurs have faced the same thing – and they share how they tackled those problems.
I’m willing to guess that most entrepreneurs don’t just jump in with guesswork 100% of the time. They read books, listen to podcasts, take courses, and learn how to overcome the obstacles they face. While the books, podcasts, courses, and other information provided don’t necessarily make the creators a mentor in the traditional sense, they share their expertise.
A mentor does so on a more personal level.
What is a mentor? A personal advisor.
What are the Types of Mentors?
There are a handful of different types of mentors, and then there are other areas of mentoring. Mentors could be advisors in career topics, parenting, life, and even in various hobbies. Mentor examples exist in four capacities: formal, informal, peer, and reverse.
Each kind determine who can be a mentor. Let’s dig into each type to determine the role of each.
Formal Mentoring
What is a mentor in a formal sense? When mentors are assigned in an official capacity, typically through an organization, they are considered formal mentors. These people tend to sign up for the opportunity to mentor, as do the mentees. Sometimes employers encourage participation in a formal mentoring program. You likely do not have to pay for your mentor in this capacity.
In other situations, the mentee may pay the organization a fee for matching them with a mentor. Formal mentoring can be beneficial to the mentee despite the cost.
Informal Mentoring
What is a mentor in an informal capacity? Do you have a friend or coworker who is more experienced and knowledgeable than you? In such cases, the mentee may ask the experienced individual to become a mentor. It is unlikely that the mentee will pay for the mentoring, although they may treat the mentor to a cup of coffee or lunch during their sessions.
Peer Mentoring
What is a mentor in a peer situation? This type of mentoring is slightly different in that there isn’t necessarily a big experience gap. The two are likely relatively close in their career path, but one is slightly ahead.
The individual right in front of the other on the paved road to success can take their peer under their wing. The mentorship is different because the mentor teaches things that have recently been learned or occurred to them.
Reverse Mentoring
What is a mentor in reverse?
I’m a big fan of reverse mentoring because I believe that people with less experience also have valuable knowledge to share. Imagine a workplace that catered to the needs of the baby boomers. Suddenly, few boomers remained in the office due to retirement, and younger generations have taken on those roles. The group leader may turn to a more youthful individual for mentorship on leading a different generation.
Another example is an older person seeking mentorship in technology. They are struggling to keep up with the changes in their career because of the quick implementation of new tech, so they seek assistance from a younger person for help. This is also a reverse mentorship.
Are there Benefits to Having a Mentor?
Many, many benefits exist in having a mentor. If you’re hesitant to find a mentor, consider how these positive attributes could change your life. This info is key to answering the question, what is a mentor?
Career Guidance and Development
What is a mentor at work?
How much easier would your career be if you regularly spoke with someone who took the same path? The decisions made, skills required, and other components of forming a lasting career can be immensely helpful in reaching the goals you’ve set for yourself. Learning from someone else’s mistakes and successes can enlighten your own path. Consider how informed guidance might impact your professional development.
Networking Opportunities
What is a mentor without networking? It’s a huge component, that’s for sure!
A mentor likely knows people that you should know. Whether you want to make a name in your career or need homeschooling mom friends, a mentor can make introductions in one of these areas. Imagine all the people you could meet if you knew who your mentor knew!
Personal Growth and Development
What kind of personal growth and development are you aiming for? Increased health and wellness? Better habits or quitting bad ones? You may want to spend time growing in your faith. Whatever your development goal is, there is a mentor out there who can help.
A mentor in health and wellness might teach you how to eat better and encourage you on days you want to quit. You could find a mentor who helps you beat your phone addiction by assisting you in finding other activities. A mentor in faith could be with you on your walk toward Christ by engaging in weekly Bible studies and deep conversations. There are many opportunities for mentors in the realm of personal growth.
Emotional Support and Encouragement
As human beings, we go through tough times. How much easier would it be to have someone support you as you do? Maybe they’ve gone through tough times, too. Perhaps they’ve gone through the same kind of tough times.
Are you a grieving widow/widower? A mentor might help. Are you struggling in your marriage? A mentor could help. Maybe you’re having a hard time reigning in your anger toward your teenager’s behavior – a mentor could help with that, too.
Learning from Someone with More Experience
Guess what? There’s always someone with more experience than you. It is highly improbable that you’ll ever reach a time when you have more experience than everyone else on the planet. Why not learn from people that are beyond yours? Put away your pride and ask someone to help you grow.
What is a mentor without experiences? A mentor must be able to share.
How Can You Find a Mentor?
Finding a mentor can be easy, or it can be difficult. The ease of finding a mentor can be based on your network. Networking is a great way to find a mentor, but if you don’t know anyone who knows anyone, you could struggle. You may have to put yourself out there more than you’re comfortable with to find the right mentor.
If you know someone or have a friend of a friend that might be a good mentor, you will need to reach out to them. It is unlikely that this person will reach out to you in search of a mentee. Take action and start the conversation.
As mentioned above, there are many paid mentorship programs and opportunities available. If you have the funds to spend, research and find a mentor that fits your needs. If no funds are available, contact a nonprofit organization providing free mentoring. However, be aware these programs can be challenging because of the high demand.
You’re online – use the resources at your fingertips! Research, research, research! If you’re seeking a mentor who can help you in developing your own business, find some possible candidates on LinkedIn or Instagram and shoot them a message asking if they’re available to answer some questions. If you hit it off, ask them if they are willing to act as a mentor.
What are the Responsibilities of a Mentor and Mentee?
You might think the mentor holds all the responsibilities in a mentor/ mentee relationship. What is a mentor without forcing unnecessary information on the mentee? Wrong! In fact, the mentee has to do the majority of the work. Most mentors will not come prepared with lessons to teach – they are there to answer questions.
Mentees must develop good questions for every session. They must come prepared with a notebook, pen, or other note-taking materials. The mentee is responsible for setting the goals they are working towards and their expectations for the mentorship. A mentor can only help achieve goals when they know the vision the mentee has in mind.
Both mentees and mentors must work on their communication skills together. The mentor might have fantastic lessons to share, but they only mean something if the mentee understands what is communicated. The mentor must get what’s in their head to the mentee’s head effectively. This means that the mentee must be open about their understanding. They cannot simply shake their head and say, “Okay,” when they do not fully grasp the message.
A mentee must receive feedback and constructive criticism, and the mentor must be willing to give it. Growth exists in this area. Without the willingness and openness to realize mistakes and improve upon them, there is no growth. Open minds prevail.
What are the Qualities of a Good Mentor?
Mentors are many things. They are knowledgeable, experienced, and willing to share. Flexibility and excellent communication skills are also a must. However, there are some things that many need to realize are imperative in a mentorship.
Mentors and mentees must share similar values. A mentee who values their integrity may find learning from a mentor who cuts corners challenging. Or, imagine a mentee who puts their family first and a mentee who claims that work must be the top priority. The relationship will fail to produce a valuable mentorship.
Good mentors also know people. They are honest, detail-oriented, and not judgmental. Mentors with creative minds can help people to see various angles in situations. A mentor who exhibits these qualities is a mentor worth learning from – this is the kind of mentor people consider when they ask, what is a mentor?
Mentorships are Essential
What is a mentor? Value.
You can likely make it through life without a mentor. You might even thrive. However, a mentor can help you thrive with a bit less grunt work. Learning from mentors’ experiences can help you to avoid making the same mistakes. You can make different mistakes, but the same ones can be avoided.
Not only could you have a mentor, but you could also be a mentor. Teach someone just starting out while you learn from someone who is recently retired.
What is a mentor? A teacher with a student. Learning never stops, which means teaching must also never stop. Let’s find mentorships.