The function of Mentoring – to enable and inspire, serving as a trusted teacher – proves a key leadership skill no matter how many people you Mentor. As a Mentor you provide a proactive approach that features regularly scheduled meetings that assist the Mentee in setting and accomplishing goals. Your responsibility is to communicate expectations and provide feedback that supports the Mentee’s development.
As a Mentor you are a:
Teacher – you enable through development of knowledge and skills while also providing the necessary tools to effectively perform on the job. One skill of an effective leader is to teach—to develop another through Mentoring.
Guide – you guide your Mentee through awareness and then challenges to get “better” on the job and enhancing skills to perform at a higher performance level.
Motivator – you inspire through intrinsic and extrinsic rewards to accomplish the expected results for each organizational initiative.
Role Model – you demonstrate and then provide opportunities to practice with a developmental focus on your Mentee.
The role of Mentors has always been around; however, until recently, only a few highly potential individuals were assigned a Mentor. Before the 1980s people with high potential were mentored by senior members within the organization. The rapid movement within and out of organizations has left a gap in businesses and organizational bench strength. One way to assure continuity within an organization is to follow the military model of making sure that individuals of lower rank can assume the position of people of higher rank.
Whether you are working to enhance your professional status or working on individual pursuits, finding a Mentor in your field of endeavor will enhance your opportunities, as well as shorten the time required to reach your goals.
