What Makes a Great Guide
What distinguishes a normal guide from a great one? The extent to which the person truly cares and tries to help. Most likely all of you have already at some point or another been giving advice or receiving advice so most of you will know more than you may think at first. Here are some guidelightslines to keep in mind:
- You are a role model: Others reach out to you because they want or at least can imagine being where you are now. That means you have a responsibility to comment on the way, on the advantages and the disadvantages to share your own experience. Give your mentee something to think about, give them insights based on your personal experience of applying, studying, working — they want to hear your perspective. Keep that in mind
- Openness: It should go without saying but the best guides are open and honest. This is (or should be) a private conversation and you don’t need to hold back. For the mentee this is the opportunity to connect with someone whom they can ask anyquestion, whether stupid or not (let’s face it we all have plenty of those, we just don’t usually dare to ask) — to be great you should be the person willing to answer them
- Try to create a connection: You will not connect with everyone in the same way and Guidelighter does not have the magic wand to make it happen either. However, it will make you a great guide to try — see if you can find the common ground with each of your mentees. The universities, career goals and general interests you may have in common will help you to discuss any professional issue with your mentee in a much more amenable and relaxed atmosphere which is key for the right kind of conversation
- The extra mile: Whether you are guiding somebody who has great potential or not, a truly great guide will always try to go the extra mile to help. Take a personal interest in your mentee’s situation if you can and think about it strategically, what should this person be doing as next steps?
- Communication: Communicate clearly, directly and straightforwardly. Think about what is best for your mentee and be open about it. It is also important that you are clear about what you are or are not willing to do to help and this should be discussed upfront
- Network: The most underrated aspect of helping others is that others can help you too. Chances are that you and your mentee won’t be far apart from each other age-wise or based on academic and professional interests. Stay in touch with the people you like and connect with well, you never know when someone might start to work for a cool company or does something exciting in one way or another and helping someone is a great foundation for a positive relationship going forward. One day you might need their guidance, help or advice.
- Connect people: Open your own network. Closed, member-only networks are so 20th century! Guidelighter aims to create something special instead. Yes everyone is busy but chances are that if you feel that your mentee has great potential and you are willing to go the extra mile for them, others will think in the same way. You have someone in mind who could help your mentee even more than you can? Don’t be shy, put them in touch!
The above are just some thoughts to help guide you on your way as a guide. Albeit, maybe the most important aspect of this process is that you have fun. With relatively little effort you can make a big difference for someone and isn’t this a great feeling to know that you were able to help? Don’t underestimate the power of doing good, don’t underestimate Karma! Do you have any other ideas or thoughts on what makes a great guide? Let us know!
Love,
Guidelighters
