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Can Your Business Benefit From Mentoring?

Guest post by: Vicki Donlan

Article Overview: Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mentor as a trusted counselor or guide, a coach or tutor. Yet, in the last decade the word has taken on a very unique meaning in the world of business.

Can Your Business Benefit From Mentoring?

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines mentor as a trusted counselor or guide, a coach or tutor. Yet, in the last decade the word has taken on a very unique meaning in the world of business.Traditionally, mentors are parents, and/or in some cases grandparents. They teach from experience and guide children away from making the mistakes they have made and toward the opportunities they believe they missed out on. This form of mentoring is really dictatorship by proxy.True mentors guide from their own experience and are able to provide perspective from diverse angles. They are active listeners who have more questions than answers. They must be able to expand our viewpoint by allowing us to see the situation from diverse angles. Their experience of ?this is how I did it and how it worked out for me? and ?what I learned from my successes and my failures? is a powerful tool for those less worldly.Smart businesses realize the importance of mentoring as a tool to nurture and grow their people. Companies that provide an opportunity for a relationship of trust to develop between mature members of the organization and protégés secure a continual path for strong leadership. It?s the lack of experienced leaders that is holding back many companies from successful growth.Research shows that mentoring programs increase employee performance and retention and these issues have a significant impact to the bottom line of every business. In a time of economic fear, uncertainty and doubt, employees respond positively to a company?s interest in their personal and professional growth. A mentorship program instills upon workers the belief that advancement is a priority. Companies that invest time in their employees are viewed as more likely to have strong leaders from top to bottom.The most difficult issue for an organization interested in establishing a mentorship program is matching mentors with mentees. Often the most experienced leaders are not willing to take the time required to develop a mentoring relationship. It is important to demonstrate that the mentoring relationship is a mutually beneficial one. Successful mentors report that the experience of sharing their stories provided them greater insight on the value of their own personal growth.For some nothing is more satisfying than to have an opportunity to participate in someone else?s self-awakening.Of course, not everyone is suited to being a mentor. Mentors must be good listeners; ask probing questions without being judgmental; be a cheerleader; look for opportunities rather than solutions; and be willing to share honest stories of success and failure. The most important quality of all is the desire to spend time building a relationship of mutual respect with a mentee.Businesses benefit when its people are energized and motivated to grow and succeed. Businesses are only as successful as the people working for them.

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Article Tags: experience, grandparents, mentoring programs, mentors, mentorship program, Merriam Webster dictionary, relationship



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