The Power of Mentoring: Get One! Be One!
Posted on March 07, 2012 by Diane Rolston, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.
There are benefits for everyone in mentoring. You can really teach an old dog new tricks and it's all about "paying it forward".
We have you seen mentors before in companies, schools, teams, religious organizations among other places.
Why?
Mentees quickly become familiar with policies, procedures, clients and business
They have higher productivity
There is reduced employee turnover
Greater employee satisfaction
Imagine a business with no training or support. As a new employee, you won’t know who to talk to, what resources are available, and what the expectations are. Then you are supposed to be productive!
“It’s easy once you know, and mind boggling when you don’t.”
A mentor serves as a role model, coach, and a confidante who offers knowledge, insight, perspective, or wisdom useful to the mentee.
Benefits for you as a Mentee:
learn what you want faster as well as standards and customs in that industry or area
develop confidence by gaining knowledge
participate more and subsequently learn skills sooner
Who says, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”?
Even if you are not new to the industry or area, having a mentor can help you to further refine or revitalize your skills and knowledge.
What’s in it for Mentors?
Learn from mentees – new information and perspectives
Remain productive – make use of knowledge and skills
Do something for others – rewarding to help others succeed
Receive recognition
Take initiative to contact someone who has shown an interest in your field and ask them if they could use some help or advice. Actively search out mentoring programs at organizations; such as those created for new business owners, those less fortunate, teenagers, and immigrants.
Once you have a mentee continue to find out their goals and make suggestions to help them achieve them.
This relationship is positive and necessary, but not forever. The goal is to get the mentee to think and act independently and successfully and then just provide help when necessary. Overtime it may transform into a friendship or an equal professional relationship.
Empowering someone with the knowledge you have gained is just one way to “Pay it Forward”.
