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WATCH POTENTIAL MENTORS, AND LISTEN
TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY IN PUBLIC( AND
IN PRIVATE): Once you’ ve identified some people who might serve as a good mentor for you, watch them. Listen to what they have to say. Read the things they write. Get a good feel for how they think and operate from the outside.
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TACTICS FOR UTILISING A MENTOR
DON’ T CHOOSE A MENTOR WHO MAKES STATEMENTS OR DECISIONS
YOU FIND ETHICALLY QUESTIONABLE: If someone is doing something you find ethically wrong, move on. Don’ t get drawn into a person who is using questionable methods to find success because people who do that usually get swatted down at some point. The tactics you should seek to learn are the ones that bring success with ethical standards.
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DO SOMETHING GENEROUS TO GET THEIR ATTENTION: Step up to the plate in a way that positively affects the person you want to be your mentor. Be patient and wait for the right opportunity. It may come in the form of assistance with a project, a key presentation, sharing of important information or just a well-capitalised chance meeting.
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DON’ T EXPECT THE PERSON TO BECOME YOUR MENTOR: Many people get their hopes centered around a person becoming their mentor, only to find that it didn’ t work out for whatever reason. Don’ t let that get you down. People who make good mentors often have a lot on their plate and are unable to devote time to helping you. Also, personality conflicts can create a situation that just doesn’ t work through no fault of either one of you.
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SCHEDULE A MEETING: If you’ ve got their attention, try to schedule a meeting. A lunch is a good way to do this, but even a short office meeting will work. Strike while the iron is hot and you’ re on their mind in a positive sense and you’ re likely to get that meeting.
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BE PREPARED BUT NOT FROM NOTES:
Know not only the things they’ re interested in at the moment, but also know what you want. Read up on their current interests and be familiar with them, plus make a list of the questions you’ d like to ask that person. Also, when you meet, be straightforward – tell the person that you’ d like for them to mentor you a bit.
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ASK EVERY QUESTION YOU CAN, BUT DON’ T FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE:
Don’ t be afraid to ask away when the opportunity comes, but there’ s one question you should always ask: what would you do if you were in my shoes and had it to do all over again? That advice is always useful – a person who found success probably tried several things before hitting upon success.
FOLLOW UP: A relationship between your mentor and you should be a conversation, and that means following up. Don’ t be afraid to use e-mail or phone calls to touch base somewhat regularly( but don’ t be a nuisance, either). Ask more questions as they come up and follow up by letting your mentor know how things are going for you.
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MAKE THE RELATIONSHIP GO BOTH WAYS: Your mentor will be giving you valuable time, valuable advice, and probably valuable opportunities. Take advantage of these but if there’ s anything you can do to help out your mentor, do it.
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WHEN YOU MAKE IT, DON’ T FORGET WHO HELPED YOU: If you work hard and are diligent, you may achieve the success that you want. When you get there, you may have the opportunity to lend your mentor a real helping hand. Always do it.
Trent Hamm started The Simple Dollar in 2006 after going through a complete financial meltdown. Today, The Simple Dollar gets around one million visitors per month and is respected as one of the best personal finance sites on the Internet. For more information, visit www. thesimpledollar. com.
ISSUE 2: 2016 | ASEAN COMMUNITY OF ENTREPRENEURS 47