I remember as a child, sharp at 11:00 a.m. every day, my uncle would call for us and say, 'It's coffee time.' So, my love for coffee started at a very early age, which I began to regard as family bonding time. Soon, this translated into a passion for taking photographs of my coffee cups. I cannot pinpoint how this happened. Was it the shape of the cup that intrigued me? Or was it the frothy design created by experienced baristas? Or was it choosing the right backdrop to place my coffee cup? Whatever it was, I had fallen in love with taking photographs of my coffee cups with my phone. I felt that I was taking amazing shots, but were they really amazing? I was not a trained photographer, which meant that I had not acquired the techniques and skills to take photographs like a professional. However, I knew that photography was a skill that could be learned, and to improve, I needed a mentor whose niche was Food Photography.
Who is a mentor? Traditionally, literature reviews have stereotyped mentors as seniors, older, wiser, and more experienced people either in the organization or in their field of expertise. However, recent literature shows a paradigm shift from this stereotyping, where the mentor does not necessarily have to be older, wiser, and has been there and done it all (Kostovich & Thurn, 2006). It could be a senior or peer who is either more experienced or at the same development level in the area of expertise required by the mentee (Smith, 2006). Nonetheless, there is a general agreement in the literature that there is a hierarchical relationship between the mentor and mentee, where the mentor possesses the knowledge and skills that the mentee seeks to improve upon (McCornack & West, 2006; Price & Chen, 2003).
I have been in Academics and Professional Development for the last two decades and have played the role of a mentor to many—students, fellow colleagues, and seniors—by supervising, coaching, supporting, counseling, and evaluating them as required. However, this time I was seeking a mentor who could teach me Food Photography.
So what did I seek in a Mentor for improving my photography skills?
After much thought, I listed the following roles that I wanted my mentor to be able to fulfil:
- Role Model
· Critical Evaluator
· Motivator/Cheerleader
· Observer
· Effective Communicator
· Coach
· Friend
These roles generally form the basis of successful mentoring relationships.
The most important quality a mentee seeks in a mentor is someone who possesses knowledge and skills that the mentee would like to improve upon. The mentor should be someone who is considered a role model excelling in their area of expertise.
The mentor also plays the role of a critical evaluator of the mentee’s work and progress. The mentor should be able to critique the mentee’s work objectively and give constructive feedback on the work. However, the mentor should also possess the ability to motivate and encourage the mentee to push their limits to see them shine and celebrate both the small and big milestones. The mentor has to balance the role of being a critical evaluator and a motivator/cheerleader for effective mentoring and to develop confident, skilled mentees.
Additionally, a mentor has to observe the work of the mentee attentively and communicate effectively the observations to the mentee. Being an expert, the mentor is able to see the bigger picture as well as the individual parts collectively and hence suggest meaningful improvements. There is a saying that a person can never see a painting clearly if they are part of the painting. Only the observer is able to see the flaws, cracks, shades, and imperfect lighting which might appear perfect to a lay person. Thus, the mentor acts as a reflection in the mirror for the mentee and provides objective evaluations.
Although a mentor may coach their mentee to achieve specific short-term, specific goals, a mentoring relationship is generally a long-term one which can extend beyond a formal mentoring period for further consolidation of skills and knowledge.
Often the relationship between a mentor and mentee crystallizes into a long-term friendship of mutual respect, admiration, and learning for both. My Food Photography mentor is a friend, a guide, a critique, a motivator and a role model who has guided me to sharpen my skills, and I am enjoying the process of learning and unlearning under the guidance of my mentor to take better photographs of my coffee cups.
To conclude, when one seeks a mentor who has the knowledge and skills that you seek to acquire, think about what role you would like your mentor to fulfill. Be open with your mentor so that their knowledge, feedback, critical comments, observations, and coaching can help you achieve excellence.
What do you seek in your mentor?
Kiran Deep Sandhu
References:
Kostovich, C.T. & Thurn, K.E. (2006). Connecting: Perceptions of becoming a Faculty Mentor. International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship, 3(3), 1-15.
McCormack, C & West, D. (2006). Facilitated Group Mentoring Develops Key Career Competencies for University Women: A Case Study. Mentoring and Tutoring, 14(4), 409-431.
Smith, A. (2007). Mentoring for Experienced School Principals: Professional Learning in a Safe Place. Mentoring and Tutoring, 15(3), 277-291.
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