Tag: mentor

Be Curious / Unique

Do you and your mentor define the word the same way?

Want to know the definition of “mentor”? I looked it up.

Men·tor – ˈmenˌtôr,ˈmenˌtər/
noun
1.
an experienced and trusted adviser.
“he was her friend and mentor until his death in 1915”
synonyms: adviser, guide, guru, counselor, consultant; confidant(e)
“his political mentors”
verb
1.
advise or train (someone, especially a younger colleague).

There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t hear someone talking about being a mentor, getting a mentor, or just exploring the whole idea of mentorship. I’ve said this on many occasions, but I don’t think we all have the same meaning for a mentor. When I asked people what a mentor does, here’s what they said:

  • Helps me get ahead in my career/advocates for me.
  • Shares their expertise in a particular subject.
  • Introduces me to people who can help me.
  • Helps me work through challenges in my workplace.
  • Advises me on how to maximise my career path.
  • Is someone who can empathise with me when I need someone to listen.
  • Someone who helps me figure out what I need to do to level up in my career.

Continue reading “Do you and your mentor define the word the same way?” →

LadyBadAss

Meet a Ladybadass: Jessica Shor – Mentor, Pragmatist, and Advocate

Over on our #ladybadass sister-site, we highlight many of the fearless, courageous, and inspiring ladies in business and in life around the world. We’re taking this idea a step further and finding out what it is that motivates and inspires these phenomenal women.

… and by the way, privacy is dead. Deal with it.

Overcoming challenges and hardships have set a blueprint of tenacity and grit for Jessica Shor from the earliest age: “Growing up without any means at all. Struggling with my mom being a single parent, not having any money, having to work a million jobs from the age of 12.” She realizes that the quest for  “financial stability and support is a pretty fundamental color in my life.” This adversity also motivates her passion for mentorship. “Most of what I do for myself and others with mentoring with WILPower and Hipower is aimed at ensuring all women have the ability to create their own financial freedom and independence, a sense of security.” Continue reading “Meet a Ladybadass: Jessica Shor – Mentor, Pragmatist, and Advocate” →

Career Development

Finding Your “Team You”

I just saw probably the 1000th article on how to find the right mentor. It seems to be the career advice du jour. It’s not that I don’t believe you need a mentor or that mentors aren’t effective, I’ve had plenty, and they were all awesome. It’s the moniker. We’re giving the variety of people who guide us along our career path all the same label. By giving them the same label, we’re not describing nor maximising the relationship to its fullest potential.

Consider the word “coach” in the world of American Football. I did a quick search and found no less than ten different roles in the team. My guess is the “Linebacker coach” brings something uniquely different to the team than the “Quarterback coach.” Sure, they are both called “coach,” but the players work with them in very different ways and look to them for very different needs. I have no idea why I chose this analogy as, unsurprisingly, I know nothing about football. However, it works, right? Continue reading “Finding Your “Team You”” →