We can all call to mind someone in our professional lives without whom we would not be the person we are today. Be it a manager, a colleague, a coach, or a friend, mentors come in all shapes and sizes.
What made them a good mentor? What did they get out of it? Perhaps you are considering becoming a mentor yourself.
Is job mentoring for me?
We all have invaluable skills and knowledge to pass on. Perhaps we are riding high on the back of a string of successes. Perhaps we are humbled by the rookie mistakes of our past.
Whether you have been in your job two years or 20, if you want to share your insights while gaining new perspectives and are keen to help others avoid the pitfalls you may have encountered, you are mentor material.
A good mentor is an active listener. Perfecting the skill of active listening allows you to understand the personality of your mentee.
It allows you to recognize when to pause before giving advice or when more guidance is needed. A mentor enjoys nurturing new talent and seeing others succeed. Do you?
The benefits of mentoring
Confucius said, “You have something to learn from everyone.” The well-known philosopher, whose teachings shaped a civilization, may also have been the original mentor, the most dedicated teacher who did not charge his students and never turned anyone away.
Mentoring is a mutually beneficial partnership. You stand to gain just as much as your mentee. First, you will be developing these essential management qualities:
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Time management
- The ability to be objective
- Target setting
- Giving feedback
Second, your close engagement with your mentee, whatever their age, stage, or background, can expand your viewpoint. It can give you an alternative perspective on your industry’s best practices.
Mentoring is an opportunity to reflect on your own performance, raise your game, or consider a new way to approach a business situation.
Convinced? Read on!
How do I become a job mentor?
Begin by networking to find out who your skills could serve. Junior team members will undoubtedly benefit from your expertise. But don’t hesitate to approach your peers with an offer of mentorship, too.
They may find it easier to open up to someone they view as equal and may appreciate a more personal way to learn. Once you are clear about whom you want to mentor and what skills you can impart, you will find the experience mutually rewarding.
Don’t forget to also offer praise and encouragement to your colleagues. Research suggests that 7 out of 10 employees believe regular recognition and acknowledgement would massively boost motivation and morale.
Aim high
More and more employers are recognizing that in-house mentoring programs can be a cost-effective way to retain and engage staff. There is a chance your organization already has a pair-up program. But if it doesn’t, it is absolutely within your power to start one!
Add mentoring to your professional development plan. Your manager will value your going above and beyond your standard job description.
The bottom line
When you take on the role of a job mentor, you send a strong message to your colleagues — and bosses — that you are a trusted adviser and role model. The sense of satisfaction you will feel in unlocking your mentee’s potential may give you the extra confidence you need to go for that promotion or ask for that raise.
