The qualities of a great mentor

In the journey of professional and personal growth, the role of a mentor can be transformative. A great mentor doesn’t just offer advice; they inspire, challenge and support their mentees in ways that shape their future success. But what makes a mentor truly exceptional?

Why it matters: Whether you’re seeking a mentor or striving to become one, understanding these qualities can enhance your ability to foster meaningful, successful mentorships.

Active listener

Active listening promotes open and honest communication, creating an environment where people feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and emotions. Good mentors listen attentively, value the mentee’s feelings and perspective and respond appropriately. “A mentor needs to understand your personality and how you view the world,” said Bridget Bacle, CBA, senior credit and collection manager at Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply (Phoenix, AZ). “By asking questions, the mentor guides discussions towards new perspectives, sparking a thought process that opens up possibilities.”

Confident

A good mentor is confident in their skills and expertise, instilling confidence in others. “It’s having a certain presence about yourself because you’re confident in what you do,” said Jon Hanson, CCE, CCRA, VP, director of corporate credit at OVOL USA (Carrollton, TX). “Both mentors of mine were confident in what they did because they had experience to convey that to those who were around them.”

Honest

Strong mentors often succeed by giving candid and sometimes tough feedback. Those sensitive to criticism may not realize this ‘tough love’ is beneficial for their success. “An effective mentor can have difficult conversations that reveal your strengths and weaknesses, often ones you’re unaware of,” said Mark Bounds, CCE, associate director of credit at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. (Athens, GA). “My mentor’s honest assessment of my skills, presence and demeanor, although a little tough to take at times, helped shape me in enormous ways. He helped me improve my emotional intelligence as well as leadership and communication skills.”

Patient

Patience is a key quality for effective mentors because mentoring others takes time. Being patient with your mentees fosters stronger relationships and promotes efficient learning. A recent study shows that when leaders demonstrate patience, their reports’ self-reported creativity and collaboration increased by an average of 16% and their productivity by 13%, according to Psychology Today. “Mentors must have patience and instill confidence in the mentee and assure them that it’s okay to make mistakes and to learn from them,” Hanson said.

Devoted

Exceptional mentors are devoted to you and want to see you succeed above anything else. Their devotion helps them understand their mentees’ goals and address any obstacles hindering their progress. “I’ve discovered that some mentors are more committed to you personally than just the mentoring process and the company that you’re with,” said Len Brown, CCE, CICP, director of commercial credit at Floor & Decor (Atlanta, GA). “It’s a personal relationship with someone who may or may not be in the company that you work.”

Balanced

Having multiple perspectives from different industries can help foster effective solutions. “For me, it’s more diversity of credit perspectives across different industries,” said Scott Woitas, CCE, CICP, senior manager, credit and collections at Donaldson Co Inc. (Minneapolis, MN). “If somebody asked you about one subject, the answer could vary depending on the kind or size of company you were in. A good mentor pushes you to think outside the box a little bit too.”

Inspirational

Although it’s important that the mentor is knowledgeable, they must also allow you to find your own, creative solutions. An excellent mentor should demonstrate the steps and the thought process to get to the answer. “When I mentored, I let the mentees think for themselves and take accountability for their mistakes,” Woitas said. “I reminded them that I’m here to help them, but they need to be willing to take those steps to advance.”

Mentorship inside vs outside your company

Having a mentor outside of your company can be beneficial as it provides a fresh perspective and broadens your understanding of the industry. However, it is always important to learn from expertise within your organization. “Someone from within the organization has a deep understanding of the company’s culture, processes and systems,” Bounds said. “They also have insight into the history, strategic direction and the key stakeholders that you need to engage with. External mentors can’t guide you on the organization’s unwritten rules or open internal doors.”

Mentorship inside vs outside your industry

Having mentors outside of your industry is useful for growing professionally and personally. They can teach you in an unbiased manner. For example, a mentor from a different industry can teach you valuable time management and leadership skills that benefit any career and possibly your life. “Many times, people in another industry can give you a novel approach to solving a problem,” said Bounds. “You’re free to see if their approach can be used, modified or adapted to provide a more efficient outcome for your business. It’s fascinating to see how others deploy technology and resources.”

The bottom line: The best mentor is the one that fits your needs and one you can trust to be honest with you without judgement.

Interested in learning more? Register now for NACM Mentors & Mentees program.