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The Top 10 Essential Qualities That Make A Good Mentor

There are many different types of relationships that are important in our personal and professional lives. One of those key relationships you want to have is a mentor. 

I’ll be explaining why this is an important relationship and how to find a potential mentor (and the right mentor) in this post. First let’s start with the basics, what exactly is a mentor?

What Is A Mentor?

Typically, a professional mentor is thought of in business/career aspects, but I believe you can have mentors in other areas of your life too to help you focus on personal development. I think this is especially true if you are going through big life changes.

Think of how great it would be to have someone by your side giving you advice and guidance when you are buying your first home or having a baby for the first time. As you are reading through this post, I challenge you to think of what area in your life you could use some guidance in. Then think about how a mentor can best help you with this.

The mentor-mentee relationship is a one of those strong relationships that will stick with you in your professional life. A successful mentoring relationship ultimately benefits both parties.

Do you need someone that is encouraging or maybe someone that will give it to you straight and show you some tough love? Are you looking for guidance. asa new employee? Seeking advice for changes to your own career?

The role of a mentor can change over your lifelong relationship with them, and there are different types of mentors as well, so keep that in mind too.

Most mentors are found in the career space but truly they can be part of any area of your life. Your career mentor might also overflow into other areas of your life. The goal is to have this person help you improve and guide your own journey.

You can typically find a mentor through a mentorship program at your workplace but the mentor relationship can also happen organically with someone you work with. It depends on your certain situation but there are many way to find a mentor.

Why Having A Mentor is Important

A mentoring relationship is different because they are separate from friends, any family member, and sometimes even coworkers. They have likely been in your shoes before so they can give the best advice. You can learn answers to questions you never thought to ask.

Lastly, you have an outside eye to guide you when you get lost or stumped. In situations like finding a job or a new role, a career mentor could also be a great person to get you connected to people in your field. If you have a mentor outside of your career work, they should be a positive role model to help you thrive.

Having someone in your corner can give you confidence and also help you identify your weaknesses while leaning into your strengths.

The Top 15 Qualities That Make A Good Mentor

Now that we have established why you need a mentor, let’s figure out how to find the best mentors. You don’t want to just choose anyone to be a mentor. There are certain qualities of a good mentor that you should look for in your ideal mentor.

So when looking for good mentorship, look for these qualities to make sure you find a good match.

They Are Encouraging

Great mentors know how to encourage you to pursue your goals and step out of your comfort zone. A good mentor will have a genuine interest in your life and growth.

Any journey or goal you have is going to come with challenges and setbacks. In these moments you need someone that is going to show you there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

They Are Honest

An effective mentor is also someone that you can count on to tell you the truth and provide honest feedback. You need that sounding board to tell you what they really think, even if it’s something you don’t want to hear.

This will make your relationship stronger, and get you closer to what you are working towards.

They Are Knowledgeable

Whether it’s entering a new career, striving for career success, or buying your first house, there is a lot of information and best practices to know. Your mentor is the perfect person to key you in with all of the information and resources you need and will be able to offer you different perspectives.

They Are Experienced

Being knowledgeable isn’t the only thing you want when it comes to your mentor’s expertise. You also want them to be experienced in what you are seeking mentoring for. Experience is the best teacher; so it will be more worthwhile if your mentor can draw from his or her own experiences.

Great mentors are life-long learners with years of experience to share, whether they have personal experiences with professional development or career progression, or they understand the depths of mental health and the specific situations of being a complex human being outside of a job.

They Are Willing To Dedicate Their Time

A mentorship has no use if you can’t catch up with them on a regular basis. When determining if your mentor is a good fit, make sure you both are able to agree on what kind of time commitment is needed. Knowing this ahead of time will save a lot of confusion and disappointment later.

What Qualities Make A Good Mentor

They Are a Great Listener

Part of a mentorship includes your mentor listening to your goals, struggles, and everything in between. The person agreeing to be your mentor should have great listening skills so that he or she can advise you to the best of their ability.

Otherwise you may as well be talking to yourself. Being a good listener IS a skill, and a better mentor will have these leadership skills AND make a safe space for you to speak honestly.

Your mentor should practice active listening when spending time with you.

They Give Great Feedback

You have the opportunity to learn a wealth of knowledge and get great advice from having a mentor. Knowing how to apply that advice, and getting constructive feedback on how to apply it even more, is a rewarding part of this unique relationship.

You’ll want someone that gives feedback and direction with clarity so that you know exactly what to do. They may provide you with new ideas to explore, or direct action steps for a specific goal you have.

Mentors are a wealth of information and they should be willing to be an enthusiastic mentor and share their experiences with you.

They Value Growth

Since you are seeking a mentor I’m assuming you are looking to grow in your skills, experiences, and/or knowledge. A good mentor matches this energy.

They not only value growth as a whole, but more importantly, they value your growth and want to help you get there. You want someone that believes you can do anything and doesn’t set limits on your dreams. 

Mentors are a wealth of experience but it makes a big difference whether or not they are willing to share that experience with you.

what qualities make a good mentor

They Give Great Insight

This goes hand in hand with being knowledgeable and encouraging. When looking for a great mentor you want the person to not only be knowledgeable, but know how to express that knowledge.

Being able to do that will keep you inspired and motivated. It helps to create a more meaningful bond between you and your mentor because it will lead to more thought-provoking and encouraging conversations.

They Are Trustworthy

We’ve reached the end of the list, but this is an important quality you want in a mentor. You want him/her to be someone that is trustworthy. By opening up and telling your mentor your dreams and goals, you are trusting them to guide you in the right direction.

After all, that is why you are looking for a mentor: it’s more than having a positive attitude. A good sign of a good relationship with your mentor is that they help you have a positive outlook, sure, but also you feel that you can trust them to help you find the best approach to navigate obstacles.

They Have a Desire To Make an Impact

Passionate mentors can inspire and motivate their mentees by demonstrating a genuine commitment to making a positive impact. This enthusiasm can be contagious and help mentees stay focused on their goals.

Mentors who are passionate about making a difference often find personal fulfillment in the act of helping others succeed. This intrinsic reward can contribute to a positive mentoring experience for both the mentor and the mentee.

They Take Responsibility

It is crucial for mentors to take responsibility for their actions because the mentor-mentee relationship is built on trust, accountability, and integrity. By assuming responsibility, mentors demonstrate a commitment to the ethical and professional standards expected in mentoring.

Acknowledging and rectifying mistakes fosters a culture of transparency and openness, creating a safe space for mentees to learn and grow. Additionally, taking responsibility allows mentors to model accountability, imparting a valuable lesson to mentees about owning one’s actions and learning from both successes and failures, contributing to the mentees’ overall development and the sustainability of a positive mentoring dynamic.

what qualities make a good mentor

They Encourage You To Learn New Skills

Encouraging a mentee to learn new skills is paramount as it empowers them for future challenges, enhances adaptability, and ensures professional relevance. In a rapidly evolving work environment, acquiring new skills is crucial for career advancement.

A mentor who fosters a culture of continuous learning not only equips the mentee with the tools to navigate change but also instills a proactive mindset essential for personal and professional development.

Furthermore, by advocating for skill acquisition, mentors contribute to the mentee’s self-confidence and resilience, fostering a dynamic and forward-thinking approach that is indispensable in today’s competitive and dynamic job market.

They Ask You Thoughtful Questions

It is vital for a mentor to ask a mentee great questions because thoughtful inquiries stimulate critical thinking, self-reflection, and problem-solving skills.

Effective mentoring goes beyond providing answers; it involves guiding mentees to discover insights and solutions on their own. By posing insightful questions, mentors prompt mentees to articulate their thoughts, clarify goals, and explore alternative perspectives.

This process not only deepens the mentee’s understanding of their challenges and aspirations but also encourages a proactive and empowered mindset. Great questions from a mentor foster a dynamic dialogue, promoting a learning environment where mentees feel supported, engaged, and motivated to take ownership of their growth and development.

They Are Available

It is crucial for a mentor to make themselves available to their mentee as accessibility fosters a trusting and supportive relationship. Being available demonstrates the mentor’s commitment to the mentee’s growth and well-being, creating a sense of security and openness.

A mentor who makes time for regular interactions not only provides guidance but also becomes a reliable resource for addressing challenges, sharing insights, and offering constructive feedback. Availability facilitates timely responses to the evolving needs of the mentee, promoting a dynamic and responsive mentoring dynamic that enhances the overall effectiveness of the mentorship.

Additionally, a mentor’s accessibility reinforces the mentee’s confidence, encouraging them to seek guidance and learn proactively, contributing to a positive and impactful mentoring experience.

what qualities make a good mentor

Final Thoughts on What Qualities Make a Good Mentor

Now that you know what a great mentor looks like and why they are an important relationship to build, it’s time to go find one, whether through a mentoring program or a naturally developing mentoring process. The mentorship relationship is probably one of the most important you will ever have for your career. It is a powerful tool and the kind of mentor you have can make or break you.

Remember to look for someone that has the important qualities mentioned here. Make sure you are a good fit for each other. When you begin your mentee-mentor relationship you’ll quickly find out how beneficial having that person in your corner can be. 

When looking at those qualities for a mentor, make sure you see them in yourself too. That could be you in the future being a mentor to someone else. The qualities of a great mentor start as qualities of a great mentee.

I believe that every great mentor was once a great mentee. When you think of it like that, wouldn’t you want to be the best mentor that you can be for another person? 

Have you ever had a mentor or have been a mentor? What qualities would you add to the list?

About the Author

Kelly Clark

Kelly graduated from Liberty University with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations and a minor in Journalism. Even though it took her a little while to find her career path, she was always meant to be in Communications. She remembers writing poems and songs when she was a little girl and pitching to my parents the reasons why I should have a cell phone when I was a teenager. She currently has a blog (budding-joy.com) where she talks about her weight-loss journey, mental health and personal development. Her hope is to encourage and inspire readers and let them know they are not alone. Reading blog posts like that are what helped her in tough times and she wants to pay it forward. She loves dance fitness, listening to music, and creating layouts in her bullet journal. She's a big fan of planning, especially when cute notebooks and pens are involved. Her dream job has changed so much over the years; right now she'd love to co-own a dance studio.

Website: budding-joy.com