Who you should approach to be your mentor

Selecting a close friend or parent as a mentor is not ideal. They bring too much emotion into the relationship. It would be better to source someone who understands you and can offer insight into a particular aspect of your life or career.

I personally have a few mentors in my life. One is a man. Having someone of a different gender can provide you with alternative insights. I have had my male mentor for many years. During that time, he has succeeded in getting me to drop my “girl” act and get on with the job at hand: getting a seat at the table and owning my contribution.

The two women I have as mentors offer valuable insights into the challenges we face in the workplace. They have already walked this path and can help me avoid the pitfalls and wrong turns.