2. Be patient. While the mentor may think he has the perfect answer, the process of exploring possible solutions together is an invaluable exercise.
3. Be honest. Boosting an ego or giving false hope is not only disingenuous, it can be an obstacle to trust, and above all, a strong relationship between mentor and mentee is a must.
4. Be supportive. Your mentor should maintain a positive attitude. You should also know that your mentor “sits in your corner.”
5. Be easily accessible. While it is good policy to have structured meeting times, it is also necessary for you to be able to contact your mentor when something pressing arises.
6. Have good networking skills. Being able to introduce you to various experts who can help in the partnership process is a big plus.
7. Be able to communicate well. Since these relationships can be emotionally charged and/or sensitive, it is best to have good communication skills, which are necessary to convey exactly what you mean without misunderstandings.
8. Have good expertise in an area that you particularly need. Remember, you don’t necessarily have to have a mentor from the planning industry. You might be able to develop a mentor/mentee relationship with someone who has great business skills or has expertise in specific areas of planning such as charitable giving or special needs, if that is where you determine you can use the help.
Where can you find a good mentor? Keep a lookout when you attend national and regional industry meetings, or you might want to check with your membership organizations to utilize their mentor/mentee networking forums. Once you know what kind of help and support you can use, there are plenty of people who would like to inspire you and your firm to a new level.