A mentor-mentee relationship nowadays goes beyond the office setting and is present in many aspects of one’s life.
Whether you’re trying to prepare yourself for social activities, look for a job or simply get ready for day-to-day tasks, a mentor can help you improve until you both know you’re ready to do all of these independently.
But how do you know if your mentor will genuinely help you? Here are 5 qualities to look for in an ideal mentor.
1. Honesty
First things first: honesty is a hugely important quality to look for in a mentor.
Why?
There will be instances where certain activities might be unclear on unfamiliar to you and you’ll need a helping hand to understand what you need to do. So a mentor should give you the feedback you need and share their point of view.
If you’re thinking about getting a job, for example, and you doubt if you either qualify for it or if the job description may not be a match for you, ask your mentor for advice. They should be able to help you take a closer look at the details, give you actionable steps, and a better outlook about what the job truly entails – ultimately giving you the right assistance in deciding for yourself.
2. Positive Attitude
Do you believe that keeping a positive attitude is contagious? Well, when you have an enthusiastic mentor who shows passion for their own work, they’ll likely share a passion for your personal development too.
Say you’re planning to go to a community activity. The thing is, you’re not quite sure how to socialize – how can you strike up a good conversation and make friends while being yourself? These kinds of challenging obstacles can seem tough to face, but having a mentor with a positive attitude can be the exact nudge you need to be able to overcome them.
Let your mentor with a positive attitude help you with that. They’ll help you prepare with NDIS community engagement exercises and share with you their excitement and enthusiasm to have a good time and meet new people.
3. Communication Skills
As with all mentors, they should have excellent communication skills. How can you be expected to understand what to do if someone gives you vague advice or instructions?
At OnTrack Tasmania, you can find a mentor that speaks your language. Our NDIS Mentoring Service enables caring and passionate individuals to help you live an independent life. They’re equipped with the right training to communicate to you all the advice you need to take on the world confidently.
4. Compassion
Of course, mentors should be compassionate. They understand that it will take you some time to fully understand certain concepts, gather enough confidence, and prepare yourself for social gatherings. They’re your partner all the way and won’t leave you by yourself.
If you are a young adult who is currently struggling to find work or socialize, a mentor will be there for you to help you when you need it most. Think of them as your best friend and confidant when you’re in doubt or when you just don’t know what to do. Good mentors stick to their promise that they’ll stand by your side every step of the way.
Our mentors are always ready to share what they know and will always have your best interests at heart.
5. Invests in You
Finally, your mentor should be fully invested in you and find great joy in helping you and others.
There are mentors who simply take on this task solely for adding extra activities on their resume, but this is not true for our mentors at OnTrack Tasmania. With our NDIS mentoring program, we instill in them the values of a true long-term partnership.
They’re fully aware that they’re in it for the long haul and won’t ever give up on you. Count on them to teach you what you need, every step of the way.
OnTrack Tasmania has a knack for pairing a mentor and a participant together with amazing results. They’re inspired by your drive to succeed and to live a full and independent life.
Our mentoring services are funded by the NDIS. For more information, call us up at (03) 9007 0593 or visit our website to learn more.