Mentor Appreciation Post
Through school and work experiences, new jobs and jobs from years in the past, I have come to realize just how many mentors I have had the privilege of meeting, knowing and staying connected with. In the most unexpected places, and in places I never knew would shape and inspire my career and decisions, I have many important people to thank for guidance, inspiration and support. From people who sat across from my cubicle, to those working down the hall or from different buildings…thank you for being my mentors.
Mentors can play a key role in many different environments and situations. My biggest piece of advice to all kinds of professionals, whether you are just getting started or are years into your career, is to never forget the people who helped you at every stage. The person who told you to keep trying even when you thought the role or company was unreachable…the person who listened to you vent about your bad day….the person who shared their life story with you and told you that things get better and hard work does pay off…these kinds of people will help shape you into the professional and person you are reaching for.
Mentorship has taken on new forms in more modern business environments. After many companies realized both the informal and formal roles that mentorship played in the development of teamwork, leadership, growth, and relationship-building within various industries, it has been built it into their foundations and organizational structures. This kind of program is something I highly support after experiencing the benefits of having mentors in different jobs. In many cases, having these individuals made the work experience as a whole a great learning opportunity, while also making me a better employee.
How to Work Mentorship Into Your Organization
Assign a Mentor to New Employees
When new employees enter the organization, it can be difficult to join already-formed teams, which have established norms, processes and even cliques (I thought I left these behind in High School…I was wrong). Mentors on Day One help new employees get adjusted, acquainted, and introduced to people and processes that are established throughout the company. This assigned mentor could turn into a life-long mentor. Making this a formal process for new employees can also show those new team members that the company really cares about them being welcomed and introduced properly.
2. Encourage Your Employees to be Mentors
Management should always encourage employees to act as mentors. Whether that is between younger and more senior employees or vice versa, creating these kinds of work relationships allows for more open conversation, relationship-building which promotes better work-life, and teamwork beyond formally-developed teams. Employees in different positions, ranks and with different experiences all have a lot to offer each other.
EXAMPLES FROM THE REAL WORLD
One of my favorite examples within this point, is Reverse Mentorship. Estée Lauder is one company which has introduced this system to its formal organizational structure. Reverse Mentoring pairs younger employees with more senior employees. This kind of pairing allows for more senior employees to learn about more modern forms of technology, trends, and terms which in turn allow them to strategize and operate to align with these needs. I also believe that by allowing younger and newer employees to work with senior employees, this allows them to feel empowered in the workplace, get access to the learnings of senior employees, and also receive a mentor themselves for their current roles and career goals. Because social media and the evolution of our younger generations will continue to drive new marketing, product development, and brand images, this reverse mentorship will be vital to many organizations and industries.
3. Promote Willingness to Help
Employees at any level can see when others are struggling in their positions, with their responsibilities or with others on their team. When this happens, it can be very beneficial to both this employee and a new mentor to help. By asking what they are struggling with you can solve problems, learn how the problems are created, and create long-term strategies for avoiding problems like this in the future. Creating an environment where co-workers help others, offer advice and work together to solve problems can create these mentor-mentee kinds of relationships. Be the person that is willing to step in and lend a hand. Being a mentor has just as many benefits as being mentored.
4. Build Teams with Diverse Employees
By allowing for teams to bring together employees from different departments, this allows for employees working in different areas and potentially different levels to interact and work together. This gives employees access to new experiences, diverse strategies for accomplishing tasks, employees with unique pasts and experiences or even situations they can relate with. Interacting on a formal team level can promote other informal connections to form for further advice. Creating diverse teams in your workplace has several other benefits on top of this as well.
5. Promote Relationship-Building Among Employees
Companies have tried a number of new ways to help employees interact in less formal environments. Events organized outside of the office, break rooms with ping pong and pool…everyone is getting the hint that when employees get along and know each other, they work better together. By organizing these kinds of informal get-togethers, you could accomplish better work relationships, while also promoting the development of mentors and mentees.
I am beyond grateful for the mentors I have had in every chapter of my career. Through life lessons, wisdom from their own lives and careers, personal stories of successes and even failures, and a push to “go for it,” I can say that my mentors have been a big piece of my inspiration and confidence to move forward without fear. Mentees…appreciate the people willing to help you and guide you. Mentors…thank you for your willingness to share wisdom and experience so that we can learn and be better.
We ALL have so much to learn from each other.
How have your mentors impacted you?
Bean
www.linkedin.com/in/sabinaruggles
@sabinaruggles
