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Education

StreetSmarts SM

Don't have a mentor yet?

By Natasa Cvijanovic Not only in our industry but across other industries,
Tesla Payments many professionals seek out mentors because of the
numerous benefits they can gain from having one. You
t would be an understatement to suggest that the can seek guidance while building your business, growing
advice provided by influential industry profession- your network, becoming a more effective leader, receiving
als in the December 2022 Street Smarts columns feedback, advancing your career and broadening your
SM
I was valuable. Consider the advantages of having perspective.
consistent access to such guidance and feedback. That Find your mentor
thinking inspired the topic of this article. The old saying
goes: It's not what you know, it's who you know. Whether However, you may be wondering how to find a mentor.
or not that's the case for you at the moment, you'll have a Though it may appear intimidating, it is much simpler
far better understanding of the expression after having a than you might imagine. Your mentor could be an
coach or mentor. Yes, mentorship is a great way to build industry professional, although it is not required. Finding
your network, but more importantly, it can change your someone who has achieved success in their career is more
life. significant than finding someone who has worked in the
same industry as you. Additionally, we can become so
The major distinction between a coach and a mentor is entrenched in our ways that it is more advantageous if
that coaches are typically compensated while mentors are our mentor comes from outside the industry and can offer
volunteers. Mentors are people who have been where you a fresh viewpoint or a new way of doing things that you
want to go, or at least their version of it, and are willing to may have overlooked.
share their wisdom to help you. In this article, I will look
at the positive effects of mentoring. I'll define a mentor, Do you have a mentor? If you do not, do you have anyone
discuss what makes a great mentor and explain why you in mind? Who would be your mentor in your perfect
should have one. world? What qualities would you look for in a mentor?
What kind of person are they? Answering these questions
Gain support, direction, advice will provide a good starting point and the right direction
Mentors are trusted advisers who provide support, in your search.
direction, advice and assistance in whatever capacity they Research and reach out
can. The purpose of the relationship is to support another
individual in realizing their dreams or goals. Even if your Your mentor should be someone who has had both personal
goal isn't precisely defined, and you want to gain more and professional success, has both book smarts and street
confidence or understanding of your strengths, having smarts (pun intended), and has kept their integrity while
a mentor is helpful. You may believe you are already being creative, driven and strategic enough to overcome
successful and do not need a mentor. However, even the the many roadblocks that can stop even the most well-
most successful merchant level salespeople (MLSs) and intentioned people. You may already be a networking
leaders will want encouragement and reassurance in or peer group member that can help connect you with a
addition to continuous development. This is something mentor. Like any other aspect of your life, vetting your
that mentorship can provide. potential date, new friend or mentor is necessary unless
you are already familiar with them.
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