Mentors: Self Review
- personal995
- May 28, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 10, 2025
Index
Purpose
Mentors: Self Review is a section of Mentors.
This page and section exists to check in and objectively review your Mentors.
The more objective and honest your are, the more likely you are to face reality accurately, and in turn, the more likely you are to get beneficial outcomes.
Introduction
Richard Feynman, the great physicist, once said, “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool.”
We need to check in with ourselves and keep ourselves honest. We all stray from our Values, Goals and The Path. That is normal, that is okay. What we do when we realise we have strayed is what matters.
The Socratic method is a form of cooperative, argumentative dialogue to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. It is named after the classical Greek philosopher Socrates, who employed this method in his teaching.
In the Socratic method, instead of providing direct answers to questions, a person engages in a dialogue to explore and clarify their own (or others) thoughts and beliefs. This process involves asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and uncover underlying assumptions or contradictions.
When applied to the self, the Socratic method becomes a means of self-inquiry and reflection.
Process
In the tradition of the Socratic method, the below is a series of questions to consider when checking in with yourself as you progress:
Review each question one at a time. Are you being honest with yourself? Do you truly know your position and progress?
The Self Review Worksheet in The Workbook can be used to help document your thoughts, answers and plans for moving forward.
Based on your review, thoughts, answers and plans for moving forward:
Do you need to adjust your Models & Theories to course correct or move forward?
Do you have further Lessons to learn to adapt your approach?
Are there Tactics that could assist you to better handle specific scenarios?
Whatever the answers are you discover about yourself, whether positive or negative, it doesn't really matter. What matters is what you do next.
Continually learn, continually improve and move forward.
Self Review
1. What are my specific goals for seeking a mentorship program?
Define clear and specific objectives for your mentorship journey, considering both personal and professional aspirations.
2. How well does the mentorship program align with my values and long-term vision?
Assess the compatibility between the program's values, mission, and your own, ensuring a meaningful and purposeful connection.
3. In what areas of my life or work do I seek guidance and support from a mentor?
Identify the specific challenges, opportunities, or skills you want to address through mentorship, ensuring a focused and targeted approach.
4. What specific skills or knowledge do I want to acquire during this mentorship, and how will these contribute to my professional excellence?
Define the concrete skills or knowledge areas you aim to develop, ensuring they align with your career objectives.
5. How can I actively seek out opportunities for stretch assignments or projects that align with my mentorship goals?
Take initiative in your workplace to engage in tasks that challenge and expand your capabilities, aligning with your mentorship objectives.
6. Am I open to diverse perspectives and learning from different types of mentors?
Embrace the possibility of gaining insights from mentors with various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
7. What strengths and unique qualities can I bring to the mentorship relationship?
Reflect on your own strengths and qualities that you can contribute to the mentorship dynamic, fostering a mutually beneficial connection.
8. How do I plan to actively participate and contribute to the mentorship relationship?
Clarify your role in the mentorship, outlining your commitment, engagement, and willingness to learn and grow.
9. What feedback am I open to receiving from my mentor, and how will I use it for improvement?
Cultivate a mindset of openness to constructive feedback, recognizing it as an invaluable tool for personal and professional development.
10. In what ways can I proactively set and work towards achieving goals with my mentor?
Collaborate with your mentor to establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals, driving focused and measurable progress.
11. In what ways can I leverage technology or online resources to supplement and enhance my mentorship experience?
Explore digital tools, platforms, or resources that can complement your mentorship journey, fostering continuous learning and skill development.
12. Have I considered reverse mentorship opportunities, where I can share my expertise in certain areas with my mentor?
Explore the potential for a two-way exchange of knowledge, allowing you to contribute as well as learn within the mentorship relationship.
13. How can I maximize networking opportunities within the mentorship program to broaden my professional connections?
Actively engage with other mentees, mentors, and program organizers to expand your network and gain diverse perspectives.
14. How can I use the mentorship program to enhance my personal brand and professional visibility?
Strategize ways to leverage your mentorship experiences to build a strong personal brand, both within your organization and in your industry.
15. How can I improve my active listening skills to fully understand and absorb the insights shared by my mentor?
Explore techniques such as paraphrasing, asking clarifying questions, and providing feedback to enhance your active listening capabilities.
16. In what ways can I demonstrate genuine curiosity about my mentor's experiences and perspectives?
Develop a mindset of curiosity, asking thoughtful questions and expressing genuine interest in your mentor's insights and experiences.
17. What strategies can I employ to enhance my note-taking and information retention during mentorship discussions?
Experiment with different note-taking methods and tools to capture key points and lessons, ensuring effective retention of valuable information.
18. In what ways can I leverage non-verbal cues and body language to enhance my understanding of mentorship conversations?
Pay attention to non-verbal cues to gain additional insights into your mentor's emotions and intentions, enhancing overall comprehension.
19. How can I foster a culture of open communication where I feel comfortable sharing my thoughts, asking questions, and seeking clarification?
Create an environment where open communication is encouraged, promoting a two-way exchange of information and ideas.
20. How can I utilize reflective listening to ensure I not only hear but truly understand and acknowledge my mentor's perspectives?
Practice reflective listening by summarizing and repeating key points, demonstrating your commitment to understanding your mentor's.
21. What specific behaviors and habits do I notice my mentor consistently demonstrating in their work and interactions?
Identify patterns of behavior that contribute to your mentor's success, as these can serve as valuable lessons for your own development.
22. How does my mentor handle challenges or setbacks, and what resilience strategies can I learn from their approach?
Observe how your mentor navigates adversity, learning from their resilience and problem-solving techniques to apply them in your own career.
23. What methods does my mentor use for continuous learning and professional development, and how can I integrate similar practices into my routine?
Explore your mentor's commitment to ongoing learning and development, adopting strategies that align with your own goals for growth.
24. How does my mentor balance work and personal life, and what insights can I gain from their approach to achieve a healthy work-life integration?
Take note of how your mentor maintains a work-life balance, extracting lessons on prioritization and well-being to enhance your own lifestyle choices.
By posing these self-reflective questions you can deepen your awareness of your current position. In turn, enhancing the clarity and most important steps of your strategic approach moving forward.
Output Checklist
Completed Self Review Worksheet from The Workbook guided via the above Mentors: Self Review.
Next Steps
If you feel you have key learnings to takeaway, return to Mentors: Main to integrate into your Output Checklist.
To continue to learn more, move on to Mentors: Lessons.
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