Keeping your team engaged and thriving has never been more important than it is in today’s hypercompetitive business world. Enter workplace mentorship programs: Done right, they can bolster everything from employee retention to productivity.
Mentors and Mentees Both Benefit
For the Mentee:
According to executive leadership consultant Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, having an experienced colleague take you under their wing can help you clarify your long-term career goals. Along the way, you’ll also hone valuable professional skills you can take with you as you progress through your career. Connecting with a mentor who works within your organization is particularly powerful because they can share their own experiences with the company, giving you further insight into the organization’s culture and operations.
Robinson also encourages professionals to embrace the emotional benefits of a mentor-mentee relationship.
“Many employees feel like they can’t be vulnerable or share their whole selves at work,” she says. But opening yourself up to support and guidance from an experienced colleague can boost both confidence and performance.
For the Mentor
Professionals who mentor others are often more satisfied in their careers and more committed to their organizations. Studies also suggest mentors may even see a boost in their own job performance.
According to Robinson, strong mentor-mentee relationships should be mutually beneficial. Imparting your wisdom to a mentee helps them succeed, and the mere act of offering your expertise puts you in a position to examine and improve your own performance, making you a better leader in the process.
Continue reading at Recruiter Magazine.
