Mentoring refers to the art of giving advice/ helping a younger or less experienced person either at work or academically. It involves the mentor (person giving the advice) and the mentee (the receiver).
One of the most important tips to success yet often overlooked. I have been blessed with great mentors. Mentorship is a two way street. It has to be an active participation. If you have someone guiding you, looking out for you…the least you can do is put in the work.
A lot of people think mentors have to be way older or several positions ahead of you. As long as you’re actively learning and benefiting from the individual, then you can be mentored by the person even if younger than you.
I met Dr. Erere Otrofanowei when I started my residency program. She was just about to go for her first exam 6 months after I started residency. Her commitment to work, her zeal and dedication endeared her to me. Beauty, brains with sass and panache. She was also very certain of what she wanted and worked hard towards it. Little wonder that every aspect of the training was a hit back to back for her. Till today, she looks out for me. She always wants to show me to the world. Even though we’re in exactly the same field, she knows that the sky is big enough to fly without the need to clip each other’s wings. My success is her success…and we celebrate her victories together.
If you’re fortunate enough to have someone that shines the light on your path…make sure you put in the work and be outstanding. Mentoring is not about being spoon-fed. It’s an active process.
Mentors always lead by example; Dr. Otrofanowei was always the first to get to work, even after she became a consultant. If your mentor is practicing a master-slave relationship with you…it’s time to call it quits. And if you’ve been blessed as such, pay it forward. Give back. The hand of the giver is always on top. For in the end, all that truly matters….is how our existence has affected other people’s lives positively. I hope that the same thing can be said about me…in the nearest future.