Day 3 - Mentoring

Mentoring– is a great way to rejuvenate your career, rekindle creativity, energy and is essential for career development and success.

Today I’m designing a Mentoring Programme for EUMA. Mentoring plays a huge role in the modern workplace and businesses are embracing it as a professional development tool. It’s a great way to improve efficiency and pass on knowledge and skills – having people to learn from is essential for your career development and success.

Mentoring is one of the oldest forms of nfluence and knowledge sharing, dating back to the Greek legend of Odysseus’ son Telemachus. Guidance, discovery, learning and friendship remain at the core of today’s mentoring relationships.

Sometimes we get stuck and need someone to believe in us. We may need advice or to be pushed outside our comfort zone. Mentoring is great at providing this. Mentors encourage you when you're down, listen and help you figure out solutions to problems.

Mentoring can be either formal – organised by your employer in a structured programme – or informal – where someone you have met has taught you something that no formal process can; an ‘accidental’ mentor.

You may well already have some ‘accidental’ mentors; I know I certainly have. These are supportive friends, family or colleagues who have had a significant impact on our success. I was recently asked who the biggest influence on my career has been and this reminded me of the importance of accidental mentors. They often have influence without you realising it. They won’t have said ‘I am your mentor’; they have supported or guided you and in so doing have ‘accidentally’ become your mentor.

What are the benefits of mentoring?  Both parties will get a new perspective on their careers, perhaps even on their lives. Mentoring hones your listening skills. It will create new challenges for you both and enhance your awareness of your skills, abilities and effectiveness in your professional role.

To be successful, mentoring needs both mentor and mentee to be actively involved. Experience flows one way and a fresh approach flows the other.  The relationship will not work if the mentee sits at the feet of the mentor and waits for words of wisdom.

I’ve been lucky to have had different people guiding my career at different stages and in turn have offered my support and guidance to others. It’s taught me that the best way to succeed is by helping others. 

Do you have a mentor, ‘accidental’ or formal? Think about how your experience can help you become a mentor yourself.