MPW Insider is an online community where the biggest names in business and beyond answer timely career and leadership questions. Today’s answer for: Why is it important to have a mentor? is written by Stacia Pierce, CEO of Ultimate Lifestyle Enterprises.
Are ready for a shift in your career? Do you need guidance to navigate new territories? It’s never too early to start searching for a mentor that will help bring out the best in you. One conversation with the right person can change the course of your career for the better. To this day, I remember one of the most significant calls I had with my mentor—and how it changed my life forever. After sharing my vision and plans with her, she asked me a series of thought-provoking questions. Her guided prompts allowed me the opportunity to identify areas of improvement, and with her help, I quickly devised a plan of action that not only brought about immediate change, but also a boost in my salary.
Today, even with the a plethora of information available at our fingertips, we can still benefit from the wisdom of those who have already been in our shoes. A good mentor will give you guidance, but also hold you accountable for your successes and failures. Accountability is the best inspiration because it keeps you working at a higher level–you won’t want to disappoint yourself or your mentor. Most importantly, a good mentor will challenge you to become a better version of yourself. They will expose your weaknesses and challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone.
As a life coach, I’ve mentored thousands of women, helping them to identify their passions and find clarity in their aspirations. In my experience, the people who benefit most from a mentoring relationship are those who respect their mentor’s time by taking fast action on the instruction given. When a mentor can see that you value their instruction, they are more inclined to provide help. So how do you find good mentor? Well, sometimes it’s as simple as your boss, however this isn’t always the case. You may have to search outside of your workplace for someone with a proven track record. I’ve also found that some of the most influential people in my life have mentored me through books and seminars. While you’re searching for a real mentor, you can still learn a great deal about life, leadership, and success from these alternatives.
Read all answers to the MPW Insider question: Why is it important to have a mentor?
Why this CEO believes in multiple mentors by Carolyn Rodz, CEO of Market Mentor.
Why young workers make the best mentors by Kim Getty, president of Deutsch.
5 things to know before becoming a mentor by Debby Hopkins, CEO at Citi Ventures.
Here’s one reason why you don’t need a mentor by Shiza Shahid, co-founder and ambassador of Malala Fund.
The do’s and don’ts of an effective mentor by Shannon Schuyler, leader of corporate responsibility at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Why you’re never too old to have a mentor by Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, national managing partner of corporate responsibility at KPMG.
How men can step up and help women get ahead at work by Gloria Cordes Larson, president of Bentley University.
When it comes to mentors, the more the merrier by Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Are you qualified to be a mentor? by Sarah Watson, chief strategy officer of BBH N.Y.
Is mentoring necessary for career advancement? by Teresa Briggs, vice chairman and west region managing partner at Deloitte.
Do all employees benefit from having a mentor? by Dawn Zier, president and CEO of Nutrisystem.
4 things your boss won’t tell you (but a mentor will) by Penny Herscher CEO of FirstRain.
What qualities make a good (and bad) mentor? by Karen Tegan Padir, president of application development at Progress Software.
Why mentoring is unlike any other professional relationshipby Jenni Luke, CEO of Step Up.
Why you don’t need a mentor to be successful by Beth Brooke-Marciniak, Global Vice Chair of Public Policy at Ernst & Young.
What qualities should you look for in a mentor? by Gay Gaddis, CEO and founder of T3.
4 things to consider before choosing a mentor by Camille Preston, founder of AIM Leadership.
The most important quality a mentor should have by Kathy Bloomgarden, CEO of Ruder Finn.
Why women are more likely to be mentors by Alyse Nelson, CEO and co-founder of Vital Voices Global Partnership.
3 reasons every employee needs a mentor by Sally Blount, Dean of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Why this AOL executive chooses her mentors — wisely by Allie Kline, CMO of AOL, Inc.
