When we were little, our role models were like heroes to us. They had all the qualities we wanted for ourselves, and they always managed to do the right thing. As we’ve gotten older, some of the magic around role models has faded, but there’s no shortage of need for mentorship in work or life throughout our adulthood. Some of us have even stepped into the mentor role to inspire and uplift the next generation—and kudos to you for doing it! Still, becoming a mentor or finding a role model who is truly a positive influence is a delicate balance. However, we can say that if your mentor is doing these 16 things, they’re incredible role models.
1. They’re optimistic and professional.
Mentors are the type of people who lift you up and show you the ropes. There are bound to be many moments of personal connection between mentor and mentee. However, most will outline tasks and share experiences with the hope of inspiring. A good mentor will always do their best to show you the joys of doing things proficiently and give you tools to help you get there.
2. They’re always trying to improve themselves.
A mentor’s work is never done. If you’re mentoring a young person, how can you help them if you’re not actively improving your craft and staying up-to-date on the happenings in your field? Mentors have to be professionals and have practical and relevant knowledge for their mentees, which is why it’s so important that good mentors keep pushing themselves along, too.
3. They strike the perfect balance of listening and sharing their opinion.
Whether listening to mock interviews, fielding questions, or simply chatting about their struggles, a good mentor will be a mirror that allows those under them to understand themselves as they grow. On top of that, they know when to sit back and let you figure something out for yourself or when they may need to lend a helping hand.
4. They’ll uplift you and help you develop confidence.
Confidence is vital to success. Mentors give you the little extra oomph to walk into whatever facet of your life with your head held high. They’ll arm you with the best knowledge they can and help you feel secure in yourself. How could you fail with someone so incredible in your corner?
5. They know all the best tips and tricks.
As much as we all value putting our noses to the grindstone and working to earn our dues, there are inevitable struggles you probably don’t need to endure. A mentor will provide you with those practical lessons, and by learning from their experience, you can skip some of the more unpleasant or long-winded aspects of your journey.
6. They’re tolerant of where you’re at.
Just like a teacher or parent knows that every kid isn’t on the same level, good role models know that not everyone who looks up to them is in the same place. Everyone deserves a mentor, from recovering people with an addiction to Harvard grads and everyone in between. Not all of these people will bring the same challenges, but a good mentor is willing to do what they can to get you to a level where you can succeed.
7. They have a lot of experience in a given field.
The paradigm of experience is frustrating for many people starting in their careers. There’s no replacement for real field experience, but hearing about long-term stints in your field and the possibilities available as you advance can give you more drive. Mentors can provide these examples and may even hand you opportunities to gain experience.
8. They’re masters of constructive feedback.
No one ever got better from being told they were doing something wrong without explanation or room to improve. Mentors and role models may not give you explicit instructions on how to succeed, but they will slowly lead you to the correct solution by helping you reflect on your mistakes and praising you when you do well. They will always look for opportunities to elevate understanding.
9. They have a robust network and want to share it with their mentee.
Networking is another woe newbies can experience when entering a field, but mentors have the tools to help. Years of experience often breed many professional contacts, and this wealth of resources gets passed onto the mentee when they’re ready.
10. They’re good at seeing the big picture.
Knowing the machine inside and out can often give role models an uncanny ability to see the bigger picture and understand the processes from start to finish. With this in mind, they can provide valuable insight and contribute to the level of understanding their mentees have, which can only benefit them as they go forward.
11. They’ll give you all the tools without coddling you.
I’m sure you’ve heard that old saying, “Catch a man a fish, he’ll eat for a day; teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for life.” This mentality differentiates a good mentor from one who is just so-so. Teaching your mentee to fish, giving them the hook and the bait, and teaching them to cast will mean they’re more equipped when they finally do it for real. After all, having all the information in the world is useless if you don’t know how to apply it.
12. They’re dedicated to helping you succeed.
Mentoring is hard work. It can be frustrating and heart-wrenching to see those you try so hard to help still struggle. It can take hours of preparing materials, arranging contacts, and plenty of repeating yourself. Like a parent, the people you mentor will probably return to you years later, even after leaving the nest. They know it’s a lifelong commitment because they’re dedicated to helping others.
13. They’ll be there to celebrate and console you when needed.
Improving yourself isn’t all roses, which means there’s value in having someone there to help you with the thorns. Role models will be in the front row, cheering you on and backstage, consoling you when you don’t get the part. Having someone who unconditionally cares for you and wants to do everything to bring you success is a special gift.
14. They walk the walk.
Advertising yourself as a mentor or a role model is one thing, but genuinely embodying the spirit of someone worth modeling after is another. Good mentors have put outstanding effort into their careers, model the best traits, and show up in everything they do. Role models have the indomitable spirit of those heroes from our youth, and there’s a specific persona that you have to maintain to earn that type of respect.
15. They will look out for you in other ways.
More than just offering practical advice and support, mentors look beyond the task at hand to the person they’re working with. Reminding students to care for their mental health, eat properly, sleep, and study may not make them exactly like the person they idolize, but there’s still value in this wisdom, and it shows compassion. No one can be great if they have no fuel, and mentors are keenly aware of this fact.
16. They inspire.
iStock/JLco - Julia Aramal
Hats off to all the role models and mentors making the world a better place for the next generation. Seeing their dedication, willingness to push themselves, and care for their causes is genuinely inspiring. Not only do we see it from an outside perspective, but those who are under their wing feel it, too, and will likely remember that feeling for years to come.
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