Anyone who wants to advance in a career needs at least one mentor. What’s a mentor and how do you find one?
A mentor is a person who currently holds a job you would like some day. Let’s say you’re a counter clerk, but eventually you’d rather be the manager of the store. All you have to do is tell the current manager about your goal and ask him/her to be your mentor.
If you don’t get along with your manager, it’s a little more complicated. First, you need to ask yourself “Why don’t we get along?” If your reasons are legitimate (not just envy, resentment or resistance to authority), find a manager somewhere else who will be your mentor. All you have to do is ask.
People are usually flattered that someone would like to be mentored by them. Their role is to meet with you occasionally and share tips on how to get where they got. In other words, your mentor will give you advice on how to become a manager.
Unbeknownst to others, most people who go on to higher positions usually had a mentor who helped them get there. The person climbing the career ladder may not even realize it. Often, someone higher on the career ladder simply notices the good work of someone else and informally encourages them to do more.