8 Misconceptions that Sabotage Your Search for a Professional Mentor
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” — Isaac Newton
We often think of successful people as solitary figures. It’s almost somewhat glamorous to think of a lonely innovator, a self-made man.
However, that’s often not the case. If you look more closely, you will see how rare it is for someone to succeed without a helping hand. Ray Charles mentored Quincy Jones. Christian Dior mentored Yves Saint Laurent. Bill Gates mentored Mark Zuckerburg.
Still, the process of finding a mentor can be mysterious. How does one find this mythical creature? How do you approach one? Teachers don’t give lectures on the appropriate method for asking someone to be your mentor. In the absence of information, misconceptions tend to form.
So, in the interest of demystifying the process and jump-starting your career, here are 8 misconceptions that will sabotage your search for a professional mentor:
1. You should look to your boss or supervisor for mentorship.
Your boss is a great resource for boosting your productivity and learning new skills at work. However, he or she does not always make the best mentor.
