A Guide to Mentorship -By Kudakwashe Gweredza

Having been both a mentor and a mentee I am a firm believer in mentorship. Mentors are an incredible and invaluable source of knowledge and I encourage everyone whether in their twenties or older to have mentors. There is power in mentorship.

What is mentorship?

Mentorship refers to the guidance provided by another person with the experience, knowledge and expertise in general life matters or more specifically in your chosen profession or educational aspirations.

A mentor provides insights, support, encouragement and practical knowledge to a mentee which assists them in navigating their personal or professional development. Mentors give you feedback, help you set goals and provide you with alternative strategies to reach those goals and improve on your skills.

Who can be your mentor?

Seek out people that have walked the journey that you are embarking on and who have reached the levels you are trying to reach.

You do not have to have one mentor, that is a lot of pressure to put on one person, and in fact I recommend that you have multiple mentors:

1.     Have mentors for your career, people that are currently or have been in the position that you want. For example, if you want to be the CEO of an IT firm one day, find a person who has been or is currently a CEO of an IT firm. Perhaps find two or three who can give you different perspectives.

2.     Have mentors for your finances, people that have made an amount of money that you wish to make.

3.     Have mentors for your spiritual growth (if you are religious), people with whom you can share your struggles and your faith.

4.     Have mentors whose life stories interest you even if they do not directly align with your career path. Be open-minded.

Mentor-Mentee Relationships

Do not put a lot of pressure on the mentorship; as per the definition, mentors are people that give you guidance. These are people you should seek out once in a while, to update them on your progress and ask for advice.

If you happen to find a person who wants to take you under their wing, that is perfect, but that is not everyone’s story. If there are people who can spare some time every once in a while, for a quick chat over the phone or a 30-minute coffee, that too is mentorship.

Your mentor should be someone you are comfortable with, that you can relate to and who can relate to you, not someone you fear. It is important to build a relationship with your mentor, a friendship, where you can both be open and have candid conversations in a relaxed environment, bonding over a shared interest.

Finding a mentor

It is incredibly difficult to find a mentor. If there is no one in your immediate circle that you can reach out to, ask. Ask the people around you to connect you to potential mentors. Attend events where you know there could be a potential mentor. You may also join organisations like Rotaract or mentorship programs that draw generations of people with a multitude of backgrounds, skills and experience. In this age of social media, you can connect with people via LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and so on. Do your research and reach out. You have to put yourself out there. As the common saying goes, closed mouths don’t get fed.

Mentor-mentee relationships should grow organically especially if you begin as strangers. It starts with a call, progresses to meetings and eventually to a long-lasting relationship. It cannot be forced or curated. Way too often we treat these relationships as transactional, with only the mentee receiving the benefit. Ask yourself, what is in it for your mentor? Great mentor-mentee relationships come from established relationships that are built over time. Be patient in your pursuit of a mentor. 

You may also have to try out different mentors before you settle on the one(s) that you want. Do not limit yourself to particular people. Any advice can be life changing. Soak up as many gems as you can, from various people, as you seek out your mentors.

Take advantage of the people around you – great advice can come from anyone.

It's on YOU

As a mentee, you drive the relationship. Reach out to your mentors regularly even if it is just to say hello or give an update. Ask for meetings and have specific questions that you need advice on. Research their life, find common interests and make the experience as meaningful for your mentor as it is for you.

Having said all of this, remember that the secret to effective mentorship is the ability of the mentee to receive gems of knowledge from others and go on to apply that knowledge in their own life. As a mentee, it is your responsibility to do the work. A mentor is not there to hold your hand step by step. It is up to you to make something of the guidance and advice that you receive.

Written by : Kudakwashe Gweredza

Edited by: Emma Reinecke

Navigating the Twenties

About the Author Kudakwashe Gweredza :

Kudakwashe Gweredza is an Associate Attorney at Manokore Attorneys in Zimbabwe, a member of the DLA Piper global network of law firms. She specializes in Corporate, Banking & Finance and Tax law. Kuda holds a Bachelor of Social Science majoring in Sociology and Law and an LLB, both from the University of Cape Town. Beyond her legal expertise, Kudakwashe is an entrepreneur. She is the founder of “KG Catering” and co-founder of “As Told By Us the podcast”. Through her “Dear Black Woman” initiative, she is committed to identifying and assisting vulnerable groups of women in Zimbabwe.

https://linktr.ee/kudakwashegweredza

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