Create a mentor culture this month – January is National Mentoring Month. Originally created in 2002 by the Harvard Business School, the month of January is dedicated to promoting a culture where people mentor others for the benefit of all. Although the event started out aimed at mentoring youth, the scope has broadened and now also focuses attention on the value and need for mentors of all kinds.
Ask the best leaders in any organization how they learned to be successful, and you often hear the same answer: they had a good mentor.
Mentoring – the time is now
Late last year Canada welcomed a number of new immigrants who will need support to become established and successful in our country. We will continue to see a very steady flow of new comers through the first quarter of 2016. I thought during National mentoring Month it was very appropriate to share and celebrate an existing program in Ontario that fully utilizes the benefits of mentorship.
Ten years ago the Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council developed a program entitled The Mentoring Partnership. This trememdously successful program pairs skilled Canadian immigrants with established professionals in their field. There are three groups that benefit that result from this program.
- Mentees – 75% find work in their field within 12 months of their partnership by gaining deeper insight into the Canadian labour market
- Mentors – 95% report being better able to motivate, coach and develop people in addition to developing essential cultural competency skills
- Society – a recent impact assessment conducted by the Boston Consulting Group found that for every dollar invested in The Mentoring Partnership, $10.50 were returned in benefits to society
There is an additional amazing outcomes with this program – the ‘Pay it Forward’ effect comes into play because mentees often become mentors themselves. Former mentees have the very best understanding of the challenges with what is involved in being a new immigrant conducting their first Canadian job search.
Take a listen to some of the really exceptional experiences shared by participants in TRIEC
- Mentees comments about this very valuable program
- Great moments shared by Mentors
- How Employers benefit with sponsorship
Mentor. Share. Connect.
Mentor – ‘In Real Life’
In the US, National Mentoring Month has been in play since 2002. In 2016 their longstanding Public Awareness Campaign Encourages Americans to Mentor “In Real Life”. The year’s focus is on American Youth.
“At the heart of America’s promise is the belief that we all do better when everyone has a fair shot at reaching for their dreams. Throughout our Nation’s history, Americans of every background have worked to uphold this ideal, joining together in common purpose to serve as mentors and lift up our country’s youth. ”
During National Mentoring Month, we honor all those who continuously strive to provide young people with the resources and support they need and deserve, and we recommit to building a society in which all mentors and mentees can thrive in mutual learning relationships” ~US President Barack Obama
For more on this speech, Presidential Proclamatin
Mentors: The Young Person’s Secret Weapon
Mentor: Someone whose hindsight can become your foresight
A mentor is an individual, usually older, always more experienced, who supports, helps and guides the development of someone’s potential. This guidance is not done for personal gain; it is offered because there is a mutually promising outcome. Although it is more common in business, mentoring is broadly used in many settings such as schools, non-profits, churches, etc.
Yes, in some cases friends and family, the Web, periodicals, Industry analysts, consultants, employees, good networking contacts and even casual acquaintances can provide support and information from time to time.
Self mentoring? Or is this continuing education? Keeping current with news, industry developments and various opportunities is one way to ensure the learning continues. The real advantage of an external mentor is in the sharing of expert knowledge, timeless wisdom and specific experience on an ongoing basis. As with most everything in life, the value of an objective second set of eyes and ears (possibly brains, too) often provides the much-needed perspective and honest opinion that helps successfully overcome challenges. Image: Flickr by willowbl00
Edward Druce – How to Find a Mentor in Business
Tedx Talk from Ellen Ensher – How to Get a Mentor
“A friend will tell you what you want to hear. A mentor will tell you what you need to hear.” ~ John di Lemme, Business Coach, author and International Motivational Speaker
Corporate Mentoring for Employee Retention
Today, many forward-thinking organizations, both large and small, recognize the value of incorporating and supporting mentoring programs in their workplace. Executives with a focus on talent want to nurture, retain, and grow the people who will become their future leaders. They want to share the benefits of their own hands-on experience, and keep ahead of the changing market conditions. These leaders value adaptability, creativity, and innovation.
Up until just a few years ago, corporate mentoring programs were designed primarily for high potential employees. This practice was turned upside down when the technology sector started rapidly growing and competing for talent. Although there are several forms of mentoring, the two main types are:
- Developmental mentoring – the mentor is helping the mentoree develop new skills and abilities. The mentor is a guide and a resource for the mentoree’s growth.
- Sponsorship mentoring – the mentor is more of a career influencer than a guide. In this situation, the mentor takes a close interest in the progress of the mentoree. The mentor “opens doors”, influencing others to help the mentoree’s career advancement.
Mentoring benefits are NOT LIMITED to just the development and advancement of the employer’s future. There are also considerable “wins” for both the mentor and mentoree in this program. Mentoring is regarded by employees as being one of the most valuable and effective rewards any employer can offer their people.
Mentored employees stay on the job longer because they feel a greater sense of loyalty and commitment. They produce higher levels of productivity and make fewer mistakes on the job. All in all mentored employees end up improving your corporate results, reduce corporate losses and create the type of environment every company strives to achieve – an environment focused on out-and-out success.
In closing
Why would one choose to be a mentor? It’s not only about building good karma. As a mentor, you can create a legacy and who wouldn’t want to do that?
So this January think about becoming a mentor… officially or unofficially. Encourage at least 1 of your friends or colleagues to become a mentor,too. Mentoring can be a selfish act because Mentors will always gain at least as much as they give.
The Multiple Advantages of Mentoring
YOU can make a difference.
Have you had a personal mentor/mentoree experience you can share?