Do you mentor others, or have you been a mentee? Most think about mentoring as something related to their professional career, and while that is absolutely important, I find it useful in other areas as well, like personal life, in volunteer efforts, etc.
Have you ever paid it forward? For example, being in the drive through line at your favorite coffee shop, and decided to pay for the drink of the person behind you. The feeling of doing good and helping others is built into us as humans. Mentoring is much the same, it not only provides a great service for the mentee, it also allows you to grow as an individual.
I have been both a mentor and a mentee. As a mentor, I enjoy helping others learn and grow, while also learning from their perspectives and insights. As a mentee, I appreciate having a valuable resource to tap into, whether it's a coach, a teacher, or even a friend who is more experienced in a particular field. It is amazing how much you can learn and benefit from these relationships.
The TL/DR Mentors are advisors or guides that are also great listeners.
A good mentor is someone who is willing to share their knowledge and experience with others and provide support and guidance. They should be patient, approachable, and able to listen actively and provide constructive feedback. A good mentor should also be able to adapt to the needs of their mentee and provide personalized support. Additionally, a good mentor should have a positive attitude and be able to motivate and inspire others. Finally, a good mentor should be able to establish trust and build a strong mentor-mentee relationship.
Find or become a mentor today and reap the rewards of strong relationships no matter how big or small the contributions may be.