Personal Coaching
Personal Coaching: Finding A Mentor To Guide Your Career
A mentor can provide valuable assistance to anyone who is just starting a career. This is especially true for someone who knows little about corporate bureaucracy. A mentor can help a person master the red tape which is found in many career fields and can ease one’s assimilation into the work force. A good mentor will enhance your career experience.
Although most companies provide comprehensive training programs for new employees, these programs generally will not help you build an informal network. It is this informal network that experts agree is key to excelling in business. Young managers who keep to themselves and simply do their work may find themselves inexplicably shut out when it comes time for promotions. This is because their achievements may not be recognized. It can be hard to toot your own horn, especially as a new employee. Your network can help you to get recognized for the hard work you put in.
How do you create a network? The first step is to acquire a mentor. Select someone who has a lot of experience in your company. Your best bet may be someone in upper management. This depends upon your company’s organizational structure and it may not always be possible. If your company is very hierarchial, one of your peers may be a preferable choice. Be sure that your mentor is at least one level above you, however, since he should be your connection to upper management in your company. Choose the best mentor for you!
At times it becomes difficult for some people to find a mentor and it takes a lot of time. It helps to attend company organized events like social events or philanthropic events etc and take small breaks in between your work schedule. Although it is not mandatory to be social animal if you want to succeed, but it always helps if you are able to initiate a conversation with people around you. Social networking always helps to make best business connections with people otherwise you do not generally meet.
After getting to know the others in your company you should have a firm idea of the types of personalities with whom you will mesh well and those you won’t. You should also be able to figure out who will give you the best personal coaching. Try and also figure out the informal network that already exists within the company. If you can find the company "connector" (that is the person who knows many other people and who is connecting others with like interests) get to know them as they tend to make the best type of mentor and can further your career.
After you’ve decided on a mentor, it’s your responsibility to touch base with them one or more times a month. Keep them apprised of the work you’ve been doing. Fill them in on big things that are happening in your personal life. Try to build a friendly relationship without being too pushy. The closer the relationship you develop with your mentor, and the better feel they have for what you’re wanting to accomplish, the easier it is for them to give you the personal coaching you need to succeed.
Most companies have comprehensive training for new employees, but this would not assist you in building an informal network. When it comes to promotion time’s young managers may find themselves shut out if they do not connect to others and simply do their assigned tasks. After getting to know the others in your company you should have a firm idea of the types of personalities with whom you will mesh well and those you won’t. The question arises then how to build a network? The first step is to find a mentor. You should also be able to figure out who will give you the best personal coaching.