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Why Mentors Are Important

Guest post by: Vicki Donlan

Article Overview: There is a fine line between being a mentor or a mentee. The relationship must be give and take and must be a win-win in order to be productive. There are seven questions you must ask yourself to see if you are ready to participate in one of these roles. The bond between mentor and mentee can be the most powerful and influential relationship one will have in a lifetime.

Why Mentors Are Important

It is widely assumed that with age there is wisdom, yet it is the experience that really matters. Parents are naturally recognized as the first mentors in ones life as they command the rules and boundaries based on their experiences as children having been guided by their parents. The relationship is based on the sincere desire of preventing the child from making the same mistakes they themselves made. This ‘do as I say rather than I did (or do)’, however, is not really mentoring. It is rather dictatorship by proxy. Learning by experience is how we gain the perspective to see beyond the boundaries and that winning and losing have equal value.

True mentors must be guides who expand our viewpoint and allow us to see situations from diverse angles. They are active listeners who have more questions than answers. They understand that there is a fine line between being a mentor or a mentee as it is a give and take relationship than in order to be productive must be win-win.

Yes, a mentor provides the ‘what you need to know’ that you don’t even know to ask about.

Before any mentorship relationship can be undertaken the following questions must be considered:

For the mentor:

(1) Are you willing to put the necessary time into getting to know your protégé (mentee)?

(2) Are you a good listener?

(3) Can you asking probing questions without being judgmental?

(4) Can you be a cheerleader for your mentee?

(5) Are your expectations for your mentee flexible?

(6) Do you look for opportunities rather than solutions?

(7) Do you see your role as an opportunity for personal growth?

If the answer to any of these seven questions is NO mentoring is not for you.

For the mentee:

(1) Are you willing to put the necessary time into getting to know your mentor?

(2) Are you willing to listen and respect advice based on experience and then filter it for your particularly situation?

(3) Can you honestly respond to questions that dig deep in to why you make the choices you make?

(4) Can you open yourself up to trusting a mentoring relationship?

(5) Are your expectations for your mentor flexible?

(6) Are you willing to look at situations from all angles?

(7) Do you see your role as an opportunity for personal growth?

It is imperative that a mentee be able to answer these questions affirmatively.

Once you know that you are ready to be mentored, the question is how do you find a mentor? The answer to this most frequently asked question is: it depends. It depends on the type of mentor you are looking for. For example, many large corporations have formal mentoring programs where a senior level employee is required to take on a younger or newer employee to assist in career path opportunities in the company. This relationship is based on the company’s need to mold junior employees into team players for future advancement. Research shows that mentoring programs increase employee performance and retention and these issues matter to the bottom line of every organization. Since often these relationships are assigned and not based on personal preference, the prospective mentee should be prepared to choose a mentor based on previous collegiality. However, some firms will inquire about the mentee’s comfortability with senior staff before making the selection. These mentoring relationships are monitored closely by the company and considered part of an employee’s performance review.

When a less formal mentorship relationship is sought, a mentee wanna-be must seek out the prospective mentor.

Generally, mentoring relationships are started because of the admiration the mentee has for the mentor. In order for the relationship to work successfully this initial admiration must develop over time into a shared opportunity for personal growth. It can’t be stressed enough that the mentoring relationship must be a mutually beneficial one. Remember, that although asking someone to be your mentor may be considered an honor there is absolutely no obligation that the request be granted. Not everyone is suited to be a mentor. Not everyone is willing or capable of sharing their time, expertise and networks with someone they consider to be less experienced or advanced. If you ask the question and are rebuked don’t take it personally as it may be that the individual you asked doesn’t feel prepared for the role. In other words, in almost every case, every individual can be deemed a mentor or a mentee at various degrees in their career. We all need guidance and counsel during our lifetime as personal growth comes with experience and we all advance at different speeds. As the questions above remind us, the relationship will only work when both parties are prepared to assume the mentor and mentee roles. So, a “no thanks” is a better answer than a less that honest undertaking of the mentorship.

In conclusion, there are few relationships that can be as powerful and influential as the mentor/mentee relationship. It can transform both individuals in ways that have direct impact on career and personal development. There is nothing more satisfying than having the opportunity to participate in someone else’s self awakening. Mentors are important because we all need the belief that we are worthy of another person’s time and experience and we all need to be needed. So reach out and become a mentor.

Related Articles
  Characteristics of a Mentor
  When “Keeping in Touch” Hurts vs. Helps You
  Tips for Being Mentored For Success
  You Don’t have to Have all of the Answers; It is okay to Seek Help Once in a While
  How do I find a passionate and purposeful mentor?
  Why Having a Mentor is so Important for Your Business
  Avoiding Pitfalls in Mentoring Relationships Part III of III
  Avoiding Pitfalls in Mentoring Relationships, Part II of III
  Difference Between Mentoring and Coaching
  Self Confidence, Mentors and Success
  Mentoring – Winning Opportunities for Everyone
  You've Got To Be Self Confident To Ask For Help
  Mentors – Do you have one?
  What a Coach or Mentor Provides to Team Members
  How You Can Overcome Fear
  Winning Opportunities For Everyone Through Mentoring
  Why You Need a Mentor
  Can Your Business Benefit From Mentoring?
  5 Reasons Why Mentors are Vital
  Q&A - Problem with a mentor

Article Tags: mentee, mentor, mentorship mentoring



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