There is little doubt over the critical role that a mentor plays in putting the career of a professional on the path of glory. All the articles, expert opinions, books, tutorials combined cannot match the real world exposure and experience of a mentor who has been there before you. There are many professionals out there who know that mentorship is important to their career but are unaware of how to find the right mentor for them. This is an attempt to simplify their search.
 
The right mentor can help you realize your full potential, gain access to previously inaccessible knowledge about your role and industry and be your back during setbacks and bad times. Maybe that is why mentoring has become a very popular phenomenon in companies today; many of these organizations have even set up a formal mentorship program where experienced executives help new entrants learn the ropes. These programs result in quick career progress of novices, helping them get a quick promotion, earn higher salaries and attain more job satisfaction than people who do not have a mentor. For employers, the investments pay off very well as it not only increases the productivity but also help them attract and retain talent.
 
Mentorship is not an exclusive bastion of junior to midlevel professionals. A 2015 research revealed that even CEOs need mentors, and 85% of the 45 CEOs who had mentors reported that mentorship was a reason why they could avoid costly mistakes in their careers. Thus, even if you seek a role as a CFO or CEO, the importance of a mentor remains the same. In this age of cut-throat competition navigating your career ahead of others without any help is a formidable task, no matter how independent you are. A little help in the form of the right mentor can help you achieve your goals faster. In fact, there are occasions when a mentor can be the difference between success and failure of your endeavors. However, to ensure best results it is important to choose the right mentor. Choosing the wrong mentor can be catastrophic for your relationship with that connection and to no benefit.
 

1. Be self-aware

 
self-aware
A mentor should inspire you to give your more than hundred percent on every possible occasion. However, before you pick on an inspiring figure, you need to be self-aware about what inspires you. It’s true that successful professionals are always an inspiration; however, you need to be more specific so as to improve yourself holistically. Identify the key areas where you need improvement, and inspiration to improve. Your mentor should be excellent in these areas, and should be able to inspire you to be so. If you have weak communication, you should naturally choose a mentor with exemplary communication skills who can help you improve this aspect of your professional life.
 

2. Find someone passionate

 
Find a mentor who is passionate about his work, believes in his abilities, and finds the meaning of life in what he does. A passionate worker would always rub some of his passion on to his colleagues, inspiring them to be at least half as passionate. Similarly, a mentor who truly loves his work would want to share his excitement with you. The energy and enthusiasm are simply contagious.
 

3. Don’t search a friend in a mentor

 
As lopsided as it may sound, a friend should never play the role of a mentor and neither a mentor should try to be your friend. Why? A friend is someone who accepts you as you are, supports you knowing your limitations and doesn’t expect you to go beyond them, not for him at least. A mentor has an exactly opposite role to play. He has to push you again and again to cross those limitations. He should never be satisfied with your performance, and should constantly challenge your thinking. A mentor has to be demanding, unlike a friend. Only then can he help you find an additional potential that you never knew existed.
 

4. Do some research

 
Arriving at the right conclusion is always preceded by due diligence. Without proper research, you cannot make a decision that is factual, relevant, and objective. Your research sample should include all the people you admire in your industry and have had a profound impact, at least through their work or ideology, on your way of working. These people who you have thought of as an ideal ‘achiever’ previously but never thought of them as a mentor are now your options. Study about each of them, talk to them and once the entire process completes, take the decision based on facts in front of you.