Role Models and Mentors – Who needs them?

by: Rachelle Wieczorek of Accenture

You do! Perhaps you have heard of role models and mentors.  Have you really thought about having one?  Or about what is the difference between the two?  Or does this just sound like something that “old” people used to do?  Well, I am here to tell you that both are very important and that every successful person has at least one of them, if not one of each, or more.

Who can be a Role Model or Mentor?

A role model is someone that you often find for yourself at a young age and may not even remember finding.  A role model is a person, or the image of a person, that you look up to and strive to be.  You may not ever have met this person, but that is irrelevant.  Something about this person (your grandpa or your child) or this type of person (social advocate or teacher or religious figure) speaks to your soul in their actions and their words and makes you want to be just like them.  When you think about what to do in your life, with your life, or perhaps navigating a crossroads, you think about this role model and change accordingly.  You might change your behavior or your words.  You might change your course of action.  As a young person, and as you learn and grow as an adult, you should always seek to be your best. 

Having a role model will help you to find a path or change course when you are unsure of your next step.  A role model can be any age, any color, any gender, any profession, any ethnicity, any entity.  Some people think that because you look up to a role model that they need to be older than you, but this is not the case.  A child who has overcome tremendous challenges can be your role model for courage and strength.

Choosing a Role Model or Mentor

Role models can change over time as new experiences and opportunities bring about change in your life.  If a current role model takes action that is contrary to your own path, you may select a new role model.  If your own actions and ideals change over time, you will select new role models that help guide you further along this new path created for yourself.  As it is said, all who wander are not lost.  For some people, the search for a role model is a journey of many winding paths and the search, itself, is the guidance and the reward. One day, when you feel like you are really achieving your life’s goals, you will no longer look up but rather look around you and discover that you have become a role model for others.

What Are the Benefits of a Role Model or Mentor?

A mentor is a specific person that you communicate with for advice and guidance in a variety of ways.  Youth can have mentors as they are navigating into adulthood.  Many working professionals have career mentors to help guide and shape their professional journeys.  They may also have life mentors to help find and keep a balance between work and home activities.  Mentors can take many forms and be for a wide variety of decisions and advise in life.  You might find one or more mentors for guidance in parenting, relationships, aging, careers, faith, sports, hobbies, and more.  Any time that you find you have a “go-to” person to ask for guidance and get insight in your life, that person is a mentor. 

With a mentor, both people have agreed to be a part of the relationship, either formally or informally.  If you ask questions of someone, then you are a mentee.  If you provide guidance and knowledge to others when they come to you with their questions, then you are a mentor.  This particular relationship is on-going over an extended time and typically revolves around a single aspect of life or a life’s goal.  A mentor may feel that they are contributing strongly to another with their experiences.  On the contrary, they may not feel like their contributions and experience are helpful to others at all, but they are still willing to provide their insights when asked.  Either way, the mentee has put a level of trust into the opinions and experiences of the mentor, and this is what makes the relationship matter. 

When Should You Look for a New Role Model or Mentor?

Since most individuals cannot predict their own future, it is important for you to find some role models and mentors throughout your life, and particularly throughout your education and career.  Finding leaders in a community or industry to be your mentor means that they share from their experience getting there as well as what the space looks like if you want to be there.  If you have a particular career path in mind, then it is important to find a mentor that is already there.  You can use some of their experiences and advice to help get you there faster. 

How Often Should you Check In?

You should check in with your mentor once or a twice a year.  More often if you are going through or planning big changes.  Less often if you already have a goal that you are actively working on.  Do not wait and do not hesitate.  Find a mentor today to get input on those major decisions and be the best that you can be.  Always live up to your potential.  If you think have you already reached it, then perhaps you should ask your mentor for what is next?

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