Thousands of years ago, communities had to be self-sufficient to survive the threats from both nature and other human beings. The passing of essential and esoteric knowledge from one generation to the next all those millennia ago forms the basis of mentoring as we know it today.
Modern-day mentoring is about organizational survival. It nurtures new team members with the knowledge, connections, and support to ensure that their time and efforts are utilized in the most productive ways. Not only does this inspire and create good managers, but it also strengthens the organization beyond what is possible with a regular training program.
As a Mentee
Inclusion in a mentorship program is arguably the best launchpad that anyone starting their career can get. Apart from the guidance and camaraderie, it is a conduit to the company’s upper echelons, an inside track that not everyone is privy to. A mentored individual is earmarked for success and aided along the way to that objective.
There are two main advantages for the mentee. First is the clear pathway to advancement. With a good mentor, the protégé is shown the ropes not just at their current level of responsibility but also at higher ones. This bird’s eye view of company operations from an early stage lays the groundwork for a better understanding of how and why things work, as well as what does not.
The second advantage comes from the mentor’s function as a role model. Through the companionship and interaction with a senior company figure, the mentee learns which values and qualities the organization holds in high regard. It instills in them the right mindset required of a leader.
As a Mentor
Most conversations around mentoring focus on the benefits for the mentee. Fortunately, mentorship is not a one-way street.
Mentoring falls in the category of art rather than science. At its heart is the talent for creating strong interpersonal relationships, cultivating talent selflessly, and leaving a legacy that transcends the mentor’s own achievements.
Remember, just to be considered for a mentor’s role is a validation of your capabilities not just as an individual but also as an asset to the organization. So please take it as a recognition by management of the work you have done in the past and their confidence in your ability to contribute to the organization’s future.
It is also a powerful networking tool. Mentors are visible in their elevated role even outside their organizations. This opens the door to cross-organizational mentorship, which can be immensely helpful in establishing yourself as a respected industry figure.
Mentoring is a universally recognized and respected strategy that enriches every person and organization it touches. However, relaying facts about operations and roles constitute but a small part of it. Instead, the combination of “what you know” with “whom you know” creates a dynamic network far more significant than the mentor-mentee pair.
If you are presented with a chance to be a part of one, seize the opportunity! Please contact me today to further discuss the importance of mentoring.
