How can mentorship help you develop your strategic planning skills?

Key benefits to gain from a mentor they include: Gain assistance through practical tips on planning a successful career. To discuss career aspirations and concerns. Identify key areas in order to develop. Improve your self confidence. Receive support with problem solving. Develop support professional relationship. Be empowered to make appropriate decisions and move forward effectively. Gain advice and insight from those at a senior level and crucially gain critical feedback in order to help you develop.

My mentors saved my career and changed my life. The first two were the ones that put me on probation my first year and helped me with my personal SWOT analysis to help me move forward. My best boss ever (and forever mentor) helped me me later in my career with the line "you are my best manager, but you could be even better...do you want to hear it?" A mentor has to care enough to criticize, albeit constructively, and that has been the biggest benefit for me, and one I try to portray as I have become a mentor.

In the early years of my work history, I was young, and energetic, with a desire to be successful. I was fortunate to meet an individual who saw abilities in me that I never saw, He offered me a position as his assistant, which would include a comprehensive sales training program. I worked for him for about 6 months and resigned from the position. Being in my 20s the workload was too much. Fast forward 55 years later, many of the things that I learned from him, I share with many I have mentored. To have an experienced individual provide guidance and share true life experiences is invaluable.

Mentors are often older and more experienced. In my 20's and 30's an older head was just what I needed to calm me down and realise I had a lot of work ahead of me. This awareness that I had decades in me allowed me to plan my path with patience.

The quote goes, "alone you can go fast, together we can go far" applies to the overarching question of, "why get a mentor". Following the footprints and paths laid by somebody who went before you can help alleviate troubles and tribulations in the future. It's helpful to have a person that can help chart the course, understand who you are as a person, and guide you forward.

A good mentor provides critical guidance any stage of career/support professional growth/ advance career goals. It feels daunting if you lack existing network/are new to education/professional environment. Explore field of possible mentors available to you. University Mentor programs be matched with Mentor to support career/growth aspirations. Professional bodies/knowledgeable individuals you have a relationship/people you don’t know personally that have experience/insight you respect. LinkedIn find others in same industry to grow network. Mentor has ability to advise you on specific topic, you can have multiple mentors to improve leadership skills and better understand strategy mentor possesses knowledge experience to guide you for growth.

In my experience, I did not limit my self to one mentor at a time, I chose to engage myself in projects at work and in my community as a volunteer by researching the members of such projects whom I believed would be effective mentors. Paying close attention to their leadership styles was my best learning experiences.

I'm not big on the formal process or on mentorship being so structured. I think you and a potential mentor find each other when that is a situation you're both looking for at a point in time. That's usually when you are struggling or need that extra guidance or support. You are open to help and the mentor is someone willing to help. I find mentoring often comes out of conversation where you are seeking help and advice. A potential mentor has the emotional intelligence to recognize they can provide that help. I never want my mentorship to feel like an obligation or additional job responsibilities.

Finding a strategic planning mentor involves defining your goals, seeking potential mentors in your network or online, and reaching out with purpose. Introduce yourself, express interest, and align goals during initial meetings. Establish rapport, agree on expectations, frequency, duration, and set boundaries for a productive mentorship.

Choosing the right mentor is important for your career advancement, especially when it comes to developing strategic planning skills. It is important to be patient and persistent in your search for a mentor. Show respect and gratitude when approaching potential mentors, and consider seeking recommendations from colleagues, supervisors, or industry contacts. Online mentorship platforms can also be valuable resources. Attend industry events, conferences, or workshops to meet experienced professionals, as these settings offer opportunities to build connections and identify potential mentors who can significantly contribute to your professional growth.

Engage actively with your mentor by preparing for meetings, sharing progress, and seeking guidance. Be open, honest, and respectful of their time and expertise. Communicate clearly, show gratitude, and honor commitments to enhance your strategic planning skills with their guidance, improving thinking, execution, and evaluation.

Making the most of your mentorship is like getting the best out of a learning adventure. First, be curious and ask lots of questions. Your mentor is like a guide, so soak up their knowledge. Share your goals and challenges with them, and listen to their advice. Stay open to trying new things and be patient. it is a journey of learning and growing. Connect regularly, maybe through meetings or emails, and let your mentor know how you are doing. Remember, a mentor is there to help you succeed, so make the most of their support!

The secret to making the most of a mentoring is readiness and initiative. Bring concerns, questions, or discussion points to every meeting. Before and after meetings, do research and keep your mentor informed of your progress. Be forthright and truthful about your needs, aspirations, and circumstances. To improve strategic thought and execution, be considerate of others' time, express thanks, be on time, communicate effectively, and fulfill your end of the bargain.

With over 20 years as a CEO, with graduate and post-graduate education in the realm of strategic executive leadership, including planning, there are two vitally important opportunities to gain the most of a mentorship. First, consider mentorship as a state of being, not a transaction. Yes, relationships are very important, yet the quest is ever lasting. How can that be? I met Dr. W. Edwards Deming when I was a business consultant seeking to become a CEO. His insights have guided much of my career arc throughout time. So will your mentor, if you keep in mind their guidance! Second, pursue profound knowledge in applied theory of your chosen field of study (ies), test them, revise them. Why? Pursuit of wisdom is a life long quest!

Clarity is crucial in the mentorship journey. Agree on specific goals, expectations, frequency of interactions, duration of the mentorship, and preferred formats for communication. Establishing a shared understanding of the mentorship logistics ensures that both parties are aligned and committed to the success of the relationship. To ensure a positive and productive mentorship, set ground rules and boundaries. These can include respecting each other's time, maintaining confidentiality when necessary, and communicating openly about any challenges or adjustments needed in the mentorship journey.

In seeking a mentor, it is critical to find a person or people whose strengths augment yours and allow the potential to highlight and improve on your weaknesses or lack of experience. Find people who will help push you to and through your comfort zone to achieve the next level of breakthrough and success. If you are considering an industry change find people who are leaders in the industry you seek to move. If you aren't in transition, look for those within and outside of your organization to serve as a mentor. Also, make sure that the person you choose to serve as a mentor has the time and interest to serve your needs. This is critical as you want this to be successful experience and not frustrating. Have fun as you grow.

Mentoring has evolved considerably over the years. Skills, knowledge, and experience were often attributed to senior managers, leaders and people who had a track record of success. In reality, we can learn from everyone! Reverse mentoring is a good example. Reverse mentoring is simply the opposite format of traditional mentoring, where the senior leader is mentored by a younger or more junior employee. The value can be linked to specific skills set such as AI, digital skills but also about perspectives and mindsets.

I think mentorship is going to be a lot more popular in the near future. It has a transformative impact on personal and professional development. Also, as technology continues to advance, mentorship offers a human-centric approach, fostering meaningful connections that go beyond automated solutions. The mentor-mentee dynamic can also be a symbiotic one where both mentor and mentee mutually benefit from the exchange of knowledge, guidance, and support.

Have crucial conversations mid-way through your mentor relationship about things that are going well, things you need to course-correct or if you want to end the relationship early. At the end of your official mentor relationship, consider if you would like to stay connected to create a longer-term friendship or mentor relationship. It's a great feeling to check in on someone over the years to see how they are doing!

When thinking about mentorship, consider a few more things to make it really beneficial. First, be clear about what you want to learn and achieve. This helps your mentor guide you better. Also, be respectful of their time. Try to be on time for meetings and be mindful of how much time you ask for. Stay committed to the mentorship and follow through on the advice you get. You can learn a lot from your mentor. He/She will give you wise advice for your personal growth.