Great mentors accelerate your learning and growth. Here are a few tips to help you find mentors and get the most out of a mentoring relationship:

• Pick people that inspire you.
• Do your homework on their background and accomplishments.
• Make a specific, small request that relates to their background and shows that you have done your homework.
• Make it easy for them to say yes - for instance, suggest a time to meet and offer to buy their lunch.
• After you meet with them, act on their guidance and circle back weeks later, summarizing what you did, and asking for another interaction. They will be more inclined to continue the relationship when they see that their mentorship is translating to action in your life.

Often it can be intimidating to ask someone to mentor you, but I find that great mentoring relationships arise when I take the initiative. The potential upside is huge!