Accelerating Career Growth: The Transformative Power of Mentorship

Could having a mentor fast-track your professional success and open doors you never knew existed? Join us as we share essential strategies and insights into maximizing mentoring relationships in the workplace. You'll learn how mentoring can accelerate the development of inexperienced workers, providing them with invaluable career advantages while offering mentors the chance to forge meaningful, lifelong connections. Discover tips for finding the right mentor, from seeking out integrity and experience to understanding the nuances of office politics. We also highlight the mutual respect and clear boundaries necessary for a balanced and productive mentoring relationship.

In our conversation, we differentiate between mentoring and apprenticeships, revealing the unique responsibilities and impacts of effective mentoring. We emphasize the importance of setting milestones and adapting plans to foster the mentee's growth, and discuss the diverse sources of mentorship, including historical figures and online content. Learn why taking advice seriously, even when it's uncomfortable, is crucial for growth, and how mentors with strong networks can offer significant encouragement and opportunities. This episode is a must-listen for both mentors and mentees looking to leverage the full benefits of mentoring relationships for long-term career success.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Does your company offer a mentoring program? Companies are discovering that mentoring can be a great means to help inexperienced workers succeed. Because of this, they're developing mentoring programs to give these workers an edge. It helps the companies as the workers get up to speed quicker. If your company doesn't offer a mentoring program, ask them to implement one. If you're inexperienced, take advantage of the program when it starts. Implement one. If you're inexperienced, take advantage of the program when it starts. On the other hand, if you have any experience, possibly you can volunteer to become a mentor. Why would anyone want to mentor someone? Companies are already tapping out their employees as it is.

Speaker 1: 0:37

To add mentoring on top of their overworked schedules seems counterproductive. However, participating in a mentor program has benefits for both the mentor and the mentee. The obvious benefits to the mentee are that he or she will want to get an inside track on the mentor's experience. The mentor can keep him or her on the right track and help them through problems that may appear in the process. The mentor receives benefits in having a lifelong connection. Mentoring relationships often last well past the duration of an employee from one company to the next. The mentee appreciates the lessons from the mentor and they establish a bond, mentees will expand their network and the mentor becomes part of this. Networking is still an essential tool for everyone to succeed, experienced or not, mentors can also help guide their mentees with office politics. It's a part of working that inexperienced people don't often know how to navigate. They can end up saying something wrong and hurt their chances of advancing. The mentors can give them advice on how to approach any given situation. Both mentors and mentees need to respect each other's time. If not, the relationship is at risk of fizzling out. Mentors may find ways to avoid contact if they find that mentees are asking for too much help. Mentees should be careful in not becoming too dependent on their mentors. At some point, the mentees will need to fend for themselves and fight their battles alone. It's a good idea to establish these boundaries right from the start. Here the company can step in and offer to counsel the mentors. It might be a good idea for them to create seminars for mentors and hire a consultant to help them set up the program. Mentoring is a skill that needs developing, and so these are essential steps.

Speaker 1: 2:24

Follow what your mentor says. Your mentor gives you an assignment that you feel doesn't seem right. It is not something that you believe will be successful. You therefore challenge your mentor and state your reasons why. While it's okay to ask your mentor questions, you should be prepared to follow what they have to say. There's a reason why your mentor gave you the assignment or instruction. You are using an experienced and qualified mentor, so trust in what they're teaching. That's the reason you took on this person as your mentor.

Speaker 1: 2:55

Hopefully you chose someone who's been through what you're trying to accomplish. That should be one of the first criteria when searching for a mentor. Sometimes it's a leap of faith. Sometimes it can be tough if whatever you're asked to do doesn't seem like it's working. It gets tougher the more time passes.

Speaker 1: 3:13

Your mentor should offer some guidance and encourage you to continue down the path they set for you. Hopefully your mentor takes on an active role in your progress. Otherwise, giving instructions is not going to help you. Their suggestions may still be valid in this case, but if they don't watch the progress from those suggestions, your progress could get lost in the shuffle. If your mentor is acting out of the goodness of their heart in mentoring you, it's important to respect their time. You should not contact them every five minutes for minor issues that you should be handling on your own. You should not contact them every five minutes for minor issues that you should be handling on your own. Ask when it's best to contact them and have a list of questions prepared before that meeting. If you're paying a mentor, you need to stay on top of them to make sure you're getting value, make sure you both understand what is to be expected and have a way to track your progress. You can also do this when your mentor doesn't charge, but it's up to you to keep tabs on the situation.

Speaker 1: 4:07

Having a mentor can be a great way to advance your goals. However, they are not there as an excuse and someone to blame. If you decide not to follow the advice of your mentor and don't accomplish your goals, you should look to yourself for reasons. Your mentor is there to help, but not to do everything for you. If you're looking for someone to do everything for you, hire a consultant or outsource your work. How to choose a mentor? You may have heard that working with a mentor can accelerate your growth in your career. A mentor can streamline your learning process and help you stand clear of the pitfalls that most people without a mentor go through. However, trying to find the right mentor can be a challenge. Use these tips to help you in selecting one.

Speaker 1: 4:49

It seems obvious that a good mentor should have integrity. However, some people look good on the surface and deep down, they won't take the relationship seriously or, worse, will throw you under the bus. Knowing whether a person has integrity is going to take some detective work. You may want to ask questions of others who know the potential mentor. If something isn't right with the person, others will clue you in on their experiences. Try to find out some information online about the person. Use search engines, ask questions in forums. Ask questions on social networks. Your research might take a little while, but it'll be time well spent.

Speaker 1: 5:25

Mentors should also have a good knowledge base. You don't want to find a mentor who has never experienced what you're trying to learn. Some people are good at pretending. However, when you come across situations that require certain expertise, these people will fall short. To know whether a potential mentor has the necessary knowledge base, try to get references Again. Online information may uncover the truth about your potential candidates.

Speaker 1: 5:49

At first, you may believe you should choose someone who is like you. However, sometimes the best mentors are those who are different from you. They offer a diversity that you would not get from someone similar. You'll gain a perspective of someone different from you. Try to find a mentor who is well-connected. It's great if a mentor is knowledgeable about your field. However, if they have a good network, this will advance you quicker than someone who does not network well. Your potential mentor can hook you up with the right people at the start, rather than getting you into situations that won't work for you. You can choose whether to find a mentor to pay or someone willing to help you for free. Both situations have advantages. Whether you find a free mentor or one you will pay. Make sure you spell out the agreement ahead of time, ask what they expect of you and mutually determine who is responsible for what.

Speaker 1: 6:41

A good mentoring arrangement measures the success or failure. Otherwise, you have no way to know if it's working out how to be a good mentor. Mentoring is a skill like any other. It's not something you decide to do one day out of the blue. It requires discipline for both you as the mentor, as well as the people you're mentoring. The first requirement to be a good mentor is to ensure your mentees will do what you ask. If they don't take the arrangement seriously, you're going to waste your time. Therefore, don't agree to mentor people just because they ask. Try to get more information about their work, ethics, etc. Also, try to ascertain if they're motivated and proactive. These are your ideal candidates to help.

Speaker 1: 7:24

You want to set up rules right from the start. Determine what your responsibilities will be, as well as what you expect from the people you mentor. It's even better if you get this in writing. Recording the responsibilities ensures there are no misunderstandings later. Define boundaries as much as possible. It's okay to tell your mentees to call you after work hours once in a while. However, don't let them call you for every minute detail. Let them know ahead of time for what reasons they can contact you. Be firm in your expectations. If someone's not living up to what you expect of them, you may need to terminate the arrangement. It's up to you if you want to give them a second chance. Your time is valuable. However, don't let them take advantage of you. If they aren't willing to do what you ask, you need to move on.

Speaker 1: 8:11

If you're mentoring for pay, don't sell yourself short. Mentors are expensive for a reason. Make sure you give great value for the money, but expect to be compensated well for your efforts. In many ways, your fee is a good litmus test. Those who aren't willing to fork up the money for your services are not going to be good candidates for mentoring them. You may believe it takes more effort to get high-paying clients, but you'd be surprised how this isn't true. If you're good and can back it up, you will easily find people willing to pay your fee. You should develop a decent network of people as a mentor. Good mentors have connections who they can call upon frequently. This ability will only work if you keep in contact with your network. Make time in your schedule to nurture your networking relationships so that you can use them to benefit yourself and the people you mentor.

Speaker 1: 9:03

Why internships can be as good as mentorships. An internship is an opportunity for inexperienced workers to get some experience. In many cases, students make use of them, but they can be made available and offered to anybody in the right circumstances. Typically, it gives the company a resource for little to no pay. It provides the intern with a way to gain the experience before they get out of school. It can also be used to help people change careers. In many cases, internships can be as good as mentorships and in some cases, even better. When an intern starts, they make connections with experienced people. The relationship becomes an informal mentorship. Most people are happy to give pointers to the interns. Many do it to show off in a way, but it still helps the intern, no matter what the motivation is. Interns will find the occasional curmudgeon who doesn't want to bother helping the intern out, but most are more than happy to help. A good intern has the potential to join the company as a full-time worker. When this happens, they'll remember everyone who helped them out along the way and the intern can become a much-needed resource to them. It also strengthens any network relationships the intern develops.

Speaker 1: 10:15

Mentorships usually occur after someone is in full-time employment. The mentors often have a formal relationship with the mentees. Not everyone is cut out to be a mentor and the potential exists for them to guide people in the wrong direction. With an internship, the intern is free to take advice from multiple people, although this can still happen with mentoring, people are expected to work directly with their mentors. Working outside of your mentor is considered bad form.

Speaker 1: 10:43

As mentioned, internships do not pay well. Lack of money can make it tough for an intern to continue in this capacity for any length of time If the placement is in an expensive area, the intern may need to live some distance from work and commute. Another problem for the intern is they're often doing jobs that most employees don't want to do. That is part of the dues of being an intern. However, the intern does need to be learning what they need to do. That is part of the do's of being an intern. However, the intern does need to be learning what they need to learn. Otherwise, there isn't much incentive and they may be inclined to leave. Another benefit to internships for students is they may receive college credits for participating. Many colleges work with businesses near the college to set up programs. The businesses are happy to get cheap labor, while the schools get some recognition for being associated with those businesses.

Speaker 1: 11:33

Can mentoring help you get promoted? When you mentor someone, you can help them become better workers. They'll come up to speed much quicker than those who do not have a mentorship available. While it takes time out of your schedule, it may be something that helps get you promoted. When you mentor someone, you need to know your subject. You don't need to know everything there is to know about a company or your field, but you will need to have a good grasp of both you can prove to yourself and your management that you have these qualifications. Proving this alone goes a long way when it comes to advancements.

Speaker 1: 12:08

Mentoring is also about leadership. When you take on someone to mentor, you become responsible for them to a certain degree. You don't become their boss, but you will need to give the right guidance that sets them on the right path. To do this, you'll need to have succeeded yourself, otherwise, the person you're mentoring is going to suspect your motivations. How can you help them if you haven't succeeded as a mentor? You'll work with your mentees to set up the best possible path for their goals. You'll also need to set up milestones with them to measure whether they're doing what you set out for them. You should show them how to alter their plans in case the original plans do not work out. You should show them how to alter their plans in case the original plans do not work out. The planning activities alone can be beneficial to their success even well after your mentoring relationship is formally complete. Obviously, when the people you mentor succeed, this will reflect positively on you. It will give you an advantage over others who did not mentor people and increase the chances of a promotion.

Speaker 1: 13:06

Mentoring is an activity you can list on your resume. So, even if your current company does not give you the recognition you deserve, you can use the experience to elevate your status when looking for a new job. When you mentor people, make sure you're not doing all the work for them. You may be tempted to help them more than you should, especially if there's a possibility of a promotion after the mentorship. However, it doesn't help the mentees very much if you do everything they need to step up to the mark and grow. It does nothing for your reputation if it comes out later that you did all the work.

Speaker 1: 13:40

Is there a difference between mentoring and apprenticeships? There are several ways experienced people can help those less experienced. It can be as simple as offering an occasional tip or a formal relationship. Mentoring is a relationship where a skilled person takes an inexperienced person under their wing. A similar type of program to mentoring is known as an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are quite popular in Europe and are growing in America.

Speaker 1: 14:06

An apprenticeship has similar aspects to a mentoring program. The most significant difference is that apprenticeships provide an official relationship that usually has intense on-the-job training from a master of the craft you're learning. Sometimes mentorships have a formal relationship, but often mentorships are more thought of as a system of guidance. Apprenticeships often last longer than mentorships, although the relationships gained in both arrangements can last a lifetime. The apprenticeship can expect to have this status for several years, while a mentoring relationship can be for months. Mentorships can be set up at any time and can even happen through the course of casual conversations.

Speaker 1: 14:48

Apprenticeships often require an application to the program and a lengthy selection process, with many candidates applying. When companies set up formal mentorship programs, however, the differences begin to blur. These types of mentoring programs also require applying for and a selection process. Programs also require applying for and a selection process. With an apprenticeship, there's almost an unwritten guarantee that the apprentice will become a master after a certain amount of time. In many of these arrangements, the understanding is that the apprentice will take over the operations of the business as the master is nearing retirement. There isn't any guarantee in mentoring relationships, especially ones that are informal. The mentors offer guidance and advice, but they don't indicate that a job waits for the mentees after a certain amount of time. Apprenticeships are starting to grow in America. The high cost of college is preventing people from going to school and they're looking for apprenticeships to fill the gap. Companies benefit from an apprenticeship situation. The cost of an apprentice is often much lower than someone who graduates from a college. All things being equal, in either an apprenticeship or mentorship, those starting out can expect to work hard and possibly long hours. However, it will pay off in the long run. When they have established themselves, they tend to advance quicker than someone who does not have the benefit of this arrangement the power of mentorships.

Speaker 1: 16:10

Think back to a time when someone inspired you. Perhaps they spoke at an event you attended. You may remember a college professor who you loved. Whatever your memory, you probably thought of that person as a mentor. What was it about that person? You saw inspiration. Was it the way they spoke or was it the message they presented? Mentors have a way of giving us the needed push to accomplish what we thought was impossible. You don't need a face-to-face relationship for someone to be considered a mentor. In fact, you could read about someone in history or read a biography on the person. Sometimes you may find a TED Talk that moves you. Then you reach out to that person and let them know how it moved you. Correspondence can develop where you bounce ideas to this person.

Speaker 1: 16:56

Mentorships help people by giving them the push they need to get to a higher level. Sometimes you simply don't know what to do next. A mentor will show you some possibilities. While they shouldn't decide for you, they can give you some much-needed guidance. You should never blame a mentor for anything related to your life or career. If you follow the advice of a mentor and it doesn't work out, you either didn't follow all the steps or it simply may not be the right path for you. The responsibility rests with you.

Speaker 1: 17:26

While there are some bad mentors, it's up to you to learn how to find the right ones, but once you do, you'll have guidance that can help you attain your goals. You must be willing to take the advice of your mentor. The actions required could take you outside of your comfort zone. Often, that's how you break through barriers that are holding you back. When that happens, you'll see the value of a mentor that much more. Some mentors may seem out of reach to you because of how much they cost. Some people are lucky to receive free mentoring, but if you don't have that luxury, keep in mind what you're getting out of the deal. If you advance in your career quicker than your colleagues because you paid for a decent mentor, can you put a price on that? You'll more than cover the cost of both salary and relationships that you gain from that arrangement.

Speaker 1: 18:12

Why not community mentoring? If you have some spare time and want to help in a community, give mentoring a try. You can help kids in the community or older adults who are struggling for one reason or another. Community mentoring is a great way to reach out and it can have long-lasting benefits. They may seem like volunteering and there are some aspects of mentoring that are similar. However, with community mentoring, you have a personal connection directly with one or more people. This arrangement is not something that you do once or twice and then move on. You're looking to impact the lives of a few people positively.

Speaker 1: 18:47

People get into situations for any number of reasons. Sometimes all that's needed is a listening ear. That can be just as much a mentoring activity as others. If someone knows you're available to listen, this can go a long way in helping them get through their adverse situations. Some mentoring arrangements will go further than just listening, although that's always a useful attribute to have. You may find you can offer guidance to people. You do have to take care when doing this and you should only advise on things you know you don't want to give the wrong advice. If you don't think you're knowledgeable enough to help, you can offer to find out more and get back to them.

Speaker 1: 19:25

Wherever you decide to reach out, talk to the community centers that are in the area. These centers often have skilled personnel who can help you with the details of the program. If a community center is not available, speak with people in the municipality or local government office. They may have programs you can sign up for or can point you to people who do. Sometimes kids in a community are afraid to speak to their parents and teachers. If you become a mentor, you may be able to connect to these kids and help them confide in you. Unless you're a trained counselor, you don't want to offer too much advice. However, you don't need to be a counselor to listen. Kids often need someone they can talk to when they feel they can't reach out to their parents or teachers. A community mentor can make all the difference in helping people through their dark times. You'll feel satisfaction in knowing that you helped these people and they may be able to get a new start from the arrangement why you need a mentor.

Speaker 1: 20:22

You may think you can set out on your own in your career. You're a good people person and you learn quickly. While these are both great attributes to have, remember, you start out at the bottom, even if you go to college. This doesn't teach you everything you need to know to make it in your career. A mentor can come into their own in this situation. You must start by assuming your mentor is good.

Speaker 1: 20:43

There's plenty of great information available on how to find good mentors. Once that is out of the way, your mentor will know your field quite well. He'll be someone who gets things done. Your mentor is someone who's already made many mistakes in their career. They can help you avoid many of those mistakes. Their experience means you won't have to go through the same pain they did, both emotionally and monetarily. That alone should be worth having a mentor. Your mentor knows how to find the information you need to succeed. If he doesn't know that information firsthand, he knows where to look for it. He'll have access to databases or associations that can benefit you. He may even show you the proper way to search the information to find it faster. Your mentor will have mentored others to success.

Speaker 1: 21:29

While you can't find good mentors who have yet to do this, why take the chance. Find someone who has experience at mentoring others and is quite successful at doing it. Your mentor is going to have a large network of contacts. He also keeps this network active and looks to build relationships. He does all of this because he knows people appreciate those relationships. You want to be a part of this network and there is no better way to get on it by having this person be your mentor.

Speaker 1: 21:57

If this is the only attribute the mentor is good for, this can be enough for you to work with him. Networking is going to be your greatest tool in your career. Most mentors offer encouragement to the people they mentor. You'll need this throughout your career. It's easy to get discouraged and get caught up in the negativity of office politics. Your mentor can help you talk it through and offer suggestions on how to handle those situations. Be careful not to let him fight your battles for you, however. That will never make you look good and can burn you when your mentor is no longer with the organization.