Soar or stay grounded: Choosing the right mentor for your career.
Positive Minds | Positive Quotes | Edition 036
Choosing the right mentor at the start of your professional journey can significantly impact the trajectory of your career. There are essentially two types of mentors: those who shelter you and protect you from every storm and those who encourage you to face challenges head-on and prepare you to fly on your own.
The guardian under the branches
Imagine a mentor like an ancient tree, providing shade and protection. This mentor wraps you in safety, ensuring that you excel within a limited scope, but hesitates to push you beyond it. They are like a jeweller who polishes the same gem to perfection but never allows it to leave the safety of the workshop. They promise a future full of possibilities, but these remain just out of reach because this mentoring style subtly limits your growth, keeping you in a comfortable but ultimately limiting cocoon.
My experience with one such mentor, who was once my manager, was comforting yet confining. I was an essential piece in their puzzle, praised and valued, yet stationary, my potential growth stunted by the comfort of familiar success.
The guide who teaches you to soar
In contrast, another mentor archetype pushes you out of the nest and encourages you to spread your wings. This mentor is a navigator, forcing you into uncharted waters and ensuring you're equipped to explore new horizons. They turn fear into courage and see potential beyond your current role.
I was lucky enough to meet a manager who saw me as a potential leader, not just a technician. They challenged me to diversify my skills and prepared me to take on roles that were completely new to me. This manager, who was a mentor, was willing to support me even if it meant her immediate loss for my long-term gain.
Reflection and insight unpacked
Initially, I found comfort and a sense of belonging under the protective wing of my first manager. Over time, however, I realised that real growth and learning came from stepping out of my comfort zone and facing challenges head-on. This realisation took a lot of work. It was a gradual awakening to the understanding that the warmth of familiar shadows often prevents us from reaching out to the light that promises growth and new opportunities.
The real test of a leader's success is not how well they keep us close, but how courageously they encourage us to venture into new territory, even at the cost of their immediate comfort or success. It's about preparing us to face the storms, navigate the challenges and emerge stronger and more capable.
Advice for young professionals
For young professionals at the crossroads of their careers, recognising the difference between these two types of mentors is crucial. It's not just about choosing the path that feels safer but also about deciding which path will lead to growth, learning, and fulfilment of potential.
May this insight guide you in choosing your mentors. Look for those who will not only provide shelter but also teach you how to navigate the storms. Your career trajectory depends heavily on this choice.
As we navigate our professional journeys, we should seek mentors who dare us to dream bigger, push us harder and prepare us for the flight ahead. Choosing a mentor can be the difference between staying grounded under the broad branches of comfort or soaring to new horizons.
