How to Become a Mentor

If you have experience or skills in an area that you think could help other individuals, you might make a great mentor. Sometimes you become a mentor without even realizing it, while other times the situation is arranged. However it happens, being a mentor can affect another person's life in a positive way and provide encouragement to someone who doesn't feel as though he or she can accomplish goals and dreams. Following are tips on how to become a mentor.

Let it happen naturally. You can't just go up to a friend or colleague and suggest that you be a mentor. Usually, the protege chooses the mentor, and not the other way around. The best way to become a mentor is to make yourself available. Answer questions when they're asked and pick up the phone when people call. Becoming a mentor isn't something that happens overnight, but once you find yourself providing advice and encouragement to another individual, you'll begin to experience the benefits.

Don't shove your own experience down your protege's throat. A mentor is supposed to be a sounding board and a voice of inspiration -- not a dictator. You won't win any battles by insisting that your protege do it your way. Instead, provide advice and present opposing sides of a debate to help teach your protege how to make his or her own decisions.

Give practical advice. What worked for you won't necessarily work for your protege, and as a mentor, it is your job to provide practical advice that your protege can use. Don't try to manipulate a situation to your own personal experiences and don't give your protege advice that he or she won't be able to follow. Take time to recognize his or her strengths and weaknesses and dispense advice accordingly.

Admit your own mistakes. One way in which mentors can help their proteges is by admitting the mistakes they've made. If you can help others to avoid your mistakes, you've accomplished a very valuable mission. Some people will have to learn on your own, but give scenarios in which you've made the wrong decisions. Mentors don't have to be perfect and you must be willing to admit that you aren't always right.