Better Man

Brett and Kate McKay
school” and prefer a phone call or letter over email. If they’re younger
and a bit tech savvy, email is just fine.
Tell your prospective mentor that you’re looking for a mentor in “x”
area of your life and that you think he’d be a good one. Explain why
you think he’d be a good mentor by sharing some of the positive traits
about him that you wrote down. People love to be praised!
If you get some positive feedback from your prospective mentor
about the relationship, go on and start discussing logistics. Explain
what you’re hoping to get out of the mentorship and get an idea of
what he’d like to get out of it as well. Synchronize schedules and how
you two plan to carry out the mentorship. The clearer you are at the
beginning, the less likely for awkward moments down the line.
If asking someone so directly to be your mentor makes you feel
awkward (or you think it might make them feel uncomfortable) then
just ask the man to have lunch or hang out some time. Start dropping
by the professor’s office or your co-worker’s cubicle for chats. And the
relationship will hopefully develop naturally from there.
6. Expect rejection. Don’t’ get discouraged and don’t take it personally
if people say no. People are busy these days, and they just might not
have time to be a mentor. If the first man says no, go on to the second.
7. Say “thank you.” No matter if you get a no or a yes, be sure to thank
the person.
Now, it might not be possible to find a mentor in just one day, but let’s at
least get started on it.
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