Leadership Lessons Blog

The value of mentoring for business success!

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Should a company have a formal mentoring program?  I've found that mentoring is probably the single-most important activity to be involved in...both as a mentor to others and as a mentee to others.  Growing within an organization always requires seeking solutions, options and other ways of getting to solutions in different ways.  Most of us are discerning enough to recognize those people in our organizations who have the skills that we lack. 

If we want the mentor/mentee relationship to work, companies often need to identify a "cheerleader" not necessarily the CEO, but someone in upper management that can act as a sponsor for the program.  Mentors and Mentees need to be trained on how to be good at both jobs. 

Mentoring programs can be viewed as a low cost company benefit especially if the mentor/mentee relationship is project or skill-based training.  Here are some questions to consider before you consider a mentoring program for your company.

1. Do you have support from top executives & management support.
2. Do you have the time and resources.
3. Is your organizational climate  healthy (hiring, people interested in learning/developing).
4. Is informal mentoring already happening:  coaching, job sharing etc.
5. Do you have some specific goals in mind for the mentoring effort.
6. Do potential mentors/mentees have time to meet and work on development activity.

Call us to see how we might help you establish a mentoring program for your company.