Recently I was asked the question – “Why do you feel mentorship is important for people on a professional and personal level?”
In answering this, I reflected on my experiences with mentoring and the benefits that it has offered me. Mentorship has always been very important to me and the mentors I have been fortunate enough to be involved with have enhanced both my professional and personal life. I believe that mentoring provides value across all stages of people’s lives, whether it is for industry up-and-comers, or mentoring more experienced professionals. I also believe that different mentors work at different life stages of both the business and the individual.
When looking for a mentor I think it is important to find someone who shares your values, but who isn’t afraid to push you out of your comfort zone in order to help you achieve your goals. They are not necessarily there to tell you what to do but to help you explore options, look at alternatives, bounce ideas around and put some structure and accountability in place, all in a supported environment.
Then there is the currency of mentoring. Do you pay, how much do you pay? Do you approach an industry professional you admire or do you seek out a professional mentor? There are also the coaches. Are coaches the same as mentors? Often coaching is a fee-based service and is carried out over a contractual period. Mentoring can be more flexible and mentors are usually there for you to talk to and to provide help through work or personal situations. It is still often paid as with coaching. Many industry bodies and associations offer mentoring for all stages of careers. At the Australasian Promotional Marketing Association (APMA), of which I am a long-term member we have the ‘Young Stars’. This is an invaluable program designed to support and foster up and coming talent in our industry.
If you are looking for mentor, make sure you ask around. There are some good ones and ‘not so good’ ones and it is a very personal thing. A mentor who is great for one person may not suit another person. Make sure you are clear with what you are hoping to achieve and ensure you are honest with yourself and your mentor.
It is also important to keep in mind that every mentor relationship has a lifespan. You will know when it’s time. Once it stops working for both parties, it is time to move on. Make sure you are clear about your intentions with the mentor when the relationship is coming to an end. There is nothing worse that it all just petering out with no follow-up. Mentoring can be invaluable and I encourage anyone who is interested in seeking out a mentor to do so and discover the power of mentoring first hand.
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network provides mentoring services ideal for women in all stages of business.
