The Ultimate Guide to Mentorship: What Would Arlene Say?

There is Value in Wisdom from Multiple Vantage Points, so Seek Variety in Your Mentorships

Finding a like-minded colleague should not be difficult as you navigate networking groups, membership associations and other professional organizations. You want a mentor who has built what you are working to build, not necessarily in revenue, but philosophically. Geography is not as important as emotional connection. Look for a mentor who not only serves clients in the manner you wish but who also relates to staff and structures their business in a way you admire and to which you aspire.

As you grow your business you may find a need for a variety of mentors along the way. Often we like to focus on a mentor who is at the peak of their career. They have all that we hope to build in our business. There is a wealth of wisdom you can gain from that traditional type of mentor. In addition to working with someone who has that breadth of knowledge there is also value in working with colleagues who can easily remember what it was like to be where you are. They know the challenges you are facing. There is a great difference in looking back to a difficult time over four, rather than 24, years.

By seeking variety in your mentorships, you open yourself up to multiple viewpoints, different ideas, and a wider range of creative solutions. Options are never a bad thing and having people you can relate to in different ways, who each bring their own experiences to the table, provides more opportunities for idea-sharing and support.

Accountability – Have Folks Walk the Path with You and Call You Out When You Need It!

Accountability can be thought of as a first cousin of mentoring. I strongly urge my clients to join or create an accountability group, a small group of colleagues at a similar stage of practice development. Even if you’re not currently in the market for mentorship, an accountability group provides a lot of benefits and a chance to connect with a professional community.

An accountability group offers commiseration when you need it, but also an honest assessment if you are avoiding your challenges. It is helpful to have a group that grows with you so that as your big issues—like signing that first client—evolve, the solutions—which you can "crowdsource" with your accountability group—grow too. Be sure you have colleagues with whom you can share concerns and develop solutions.

Establish Boundaries, Set Expectations

It is important that both mentor and protégée set clear expectations at the beginning of the mentoring relationship. A good starting point is working out a schedule and sticking to it. Be on time for meetings, send check-in emails or get on the phone when you say you will. A mentorship meeting may feel like a luxury when you’re strapped for time and deep in the trenches of day-to-day work, but it’s not. It’s a necessity. By staying true to your previously agreed upon goals and meetings, you’re investing in yourself and your practice, and being respectful of both your time and your mentor’s.

Next, focus on delineating the scope of your relationship. Are you discussing only client related issues, or all business management? Is marketing help part of the equation as well? Some mentors are very comfortable with any practice management questions you could think of, but don’t feel marketing is their strong suit and don’t want that focus in the relationship. I have also had new members who are surprised at the marketing pressure they get from their mentor, expecting the mentor to let them grow the practice at their own pace, but be available for questions on particular financial planning topics. There is no right path, but clarifying expectations will help minimize misunderstandings.

Schedule the Time, Don’t Leave it to Chance

I am a proponent of scheduled mentoring contact. My experience has been that as folks most need that mentoring kick in the pants they are most likely to hide from their mentor. “Call me when you need me” just doesn’t foster the connection you need when trouble arises. There is also sometimes a perception that the mentor agreed to be a mentor, but they really are much too busy and important to bother with your trivial issues.

Having a set meeting time helps to avoid these issues. A scheduled meeting also provides a time to celebrate success, something we often do not (but absolutely should) make time to do. When was the last time you called a colleague just to say you were doing great? These celebrations will give you the energy to fight through the tough times, and who better to cheer you on than your mentor?

Finally, be open to what your mentor has to say. You might feel like a piece of advice they give isn’t relevant to you, or that you don’t feel comfortable being pushed to market yourself and grow your practice, but they’ve decided it’s important to impart that specific piece of knowledge to you for a reason. Be respectful of that. Open yourself up and allow them to push you beyond your comfort zone. After all, that’s what they’re there for!

Evaluate, Adjust, and Repeat

I would like to claim success with every mentoring pair I have put together, but the truth is that there are times when they don’t work out. Sometimes personalities just don’t gel. For this reason, it’s important to have an exit strategy. Set a time perhaps three or four months into your relationship to have a review. At this time, each of you can decide if you want to move forward with the relationship.

It’s important to realize that a failed mentoring relationship is not a negative reflection on either party, it’s just a mismatch of personality or goals. It's not about right or wrong. Revisit the parameters of your relationship annually to determine new strategies and plans moving forward. Evaluate what you want to get out of your mentorship. What do you want to learn? Are you growing in the areas you had hoped with this mentor? Whatever your answers are, assessing whether or not you’re using your time with your mentor wisely is a good way to check in.

You will reach a time when you no longer need your mentor. When that day comes, it's time for you to be the mentor and pay it forward—the student becomes the teacher, as they say. Hopefully by this time you and your mentor have grown close and developed into colleagues on more equal footing. Your relationship will move on to a new stage and offer new opportunities.

As you move along you will find your flow through a variety of mentoring relationships, some more formal than others. Be aware of the types of support you need over the years and make sure you are developing the connections you need to move forward.