The Value of Mentorship in Business
By Kristen Perez
A
2015 Issue 3 |
THE
SCORE
40
mentor is an individual who
actively and willingly passes
their knowledge and wisdom
onto another person. Businesses are
increasingly embracing this practice as
a professional development tool used to
internally grow their employees. Through
mentorship, organizations are achieving
dramatic improvements in efficiency,
productivity, recruiting and retention. It
also aids in helping employees navigate new organizational cultures while
providing a cost-effective way to ensure
the passing of institutional knowledge
and leadership skills from one generation to the next.
Mentorship relationships also make
people feel valued and that there is an
investment in their learning and development, a trait highly sought out and
valued among the millennial workforce.
In a sense, mentorship, when implemented on an organizational level,
increases the likelihood that a business
will not only retain employees, but will
also foster leaders at a more concrete rate
than without such a practice.
However, like any other relationship, it takes work on both sides to make
mentoring work.
How to Find a Mentor:
Mentors can be anyone; whether it
be a friend, a coach, a teacher, a supervisor, someone older or younger and so
on. However, the one common denominator and defining characteristic of a
mentor is this: They have more experience in the specific area in which you
are looking to succeed. The following
lists a few key points to aid in your quest
to find a mentor and remain confident
throughout the process.
Know what you want. The first
thing you need to know when seeking
a mentor is what you’re looking for
from the arrangement. Determine your
specific expectations and the role you
want a mentor to play in your career.
Clarifying your objectives, goals and
expectations will ensure that you find the
right mentor and that the relationship
benefits your professional goals.
Think outside of your walls.
The right mentor may very well be
found in your office, or they may be
located several cities over. However, it
helps to have a mentor you can meet
in person as this allows for a seemingly
more organic and intimate professional relationship, which is what a
mentorship aims
to foster. Seek out
potential mentors
at business associations, community groups such as
business chambers of
commerce or rotary clubs.
Set up a meeting. Set up an
informational interview with each of
the possible mentors you have in mind
to discuss a possible mentoring relationship. The location of the meeting
should be somewhere that is mutually
comfortable to allow open and confident
communication. Also, do not let yourself
be blinded by personal chemistry versus
professional chemistry and how well
that individual aligns with your goals.
Keep in mind that it may be beneficial to
have more than one mentor. If you fear
that you may be taxing on your mentor’s
time, then multiple mentors may be the
answer.
Be clear with your mentor. Once
you have found someone who agrees to
be your mentor, make sure you share the
same commitment to your expectations.
Be clear on the time required and the
availability of your mentor, and establish