Test your readiness to be mentored

by Matt M. Starcevich, Ph.D.

(For individual usage only, not to be duplicated, referenced, or transmitted without permission)
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The popular advice is "find a mentor". A question to ask yourself first is "How ready am I to be mentored"? Your readiness will have a significant impact on how successful and productive the mentoring partnership will be. This quiz will give you a start in assessing your readiness.

When you think about your development and growth, which of the following statement best represents your beliefs:

I am responsible for my own development and growth

Things change too fast, it is best to go with the flow

If you work for good managers, they will take care of your growth and development

What do you believe is the most effective role for a mentor:

Teaches me what they know

Tells me what I need to do

Facilitates me clarifying my thoughts and actions.

When thinking about your expectations for the mentoring relationship should they:

Depend on what the mentor wants and needs

Be clearly defined and communicated at the beginning of a mentoring relationship

Emerge as the relationship develops.

How aware are you of who you are, what you value, the skills and talents that make your unique and your limitations?

I am continually trying to define and refine what I understand about myself

I sort of have some general impressions about myself

I haven't really thought about these things.

What do you feel the mentor should get out of the relationship?

A good feeling of helping someone like me

Not much, they are already pretty success and accomplished at what they do

They should learn as much from me as I do from them.

Which statement best represents your belief about plans and ideas you and your mentor discuss:

I would think about these along time before taking action

I need to be willing to implement, take action, and put things into effect

I would be willing to take action only when it involved taking very little risk.

How will you react to feedback and observations from your mentor?

Check my ego at the door, be open-minded, willing to change and coachable.

Listen and take everything with a grain of salt, this is just one person’s perspective.

Accept those things that affirm what you know about yourself and reject that when your mentor doesn't understand the situations you are dealing with.

What should be your role in finding a mentor?

Sign up for a mentoring program and wait for the organization to assign you a mentor.

A mentor has to want to help you so wait from them to ask you.

Watch for people who could help you and ask them to be your mentor.

What should be your responsibility in maintaining the mentoring relationship?

The sponsors of the mentoring program should define and monitor how often and for how long we meet.

It is my responsibility to keep in touch and request time for us to meet

Since the mentor is giving me their time they should define when and how often we meet.

Which statement best describes why you want to enter into a mentoring relationship:

I want to develop my potential and career.

I would really like someone to listen to me and give advice on the problem I am facing.

It's kind of the thing to do in my organization and it sounds interesting.

Test your readiness to be mentored

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