Being a mentor to somebody is not only an honor but mainly a responsibility. This reasoning opens a recent article on Forbes.com which brought five practical tips on how to become a strong mentor. Therefore, whether you are a mentor formally or informally, focus on the following areas.
Lead your mentees to think independently
A mentor should not only tell his mentees what he think is the best for them. He should inspire them to think more deeply about their problems and challenges and to come up with their own answers.
Tell stories
If you want to advise someone, it is always better to use a story than to explicitly present possible solutions. Set a good example by sharing your experience through stories.
Don't focus only on thoughts and words
In many situations, there is no perfect solution. Therefore, it does not make any sense to wait until a perfect solution appears. You should lead your mentees to believe in themselves and move from words to actions, too.
Offer your contacts
As a mentor, you should also share your network of industry contacts with your mentees. Take care, however, no to connect people who can actually give nothing to each other.
Don't break the others' trust
Trust is the foundation of all relationships, including the professional ones. Therefore, you should never share unconfirmed information or information you are not allowed to spread with your mentees or anyone else. Build your reputation as someone who can be absolutely trusted.
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