To be characterized by humble beginnings is often the springboard that pushes us in a different direction. Experiencing big obstacles in life is one of the primary reasons that people choose personal development as a course of action for self-improvement, motivation, and growth. Another rewarding practice instrumental to influencing professionals is mentoring.
Whether it is done in a traditional setting of one-on-one, distant mentoring, or group mentoring – the expertise is valuable on life’s journey. I know of cases with positive outcomes and career advancement achieved through mentor relationships. Mentoring is a powerful tool for personal development and empowerment.
As much as you would like to have immediate results and realize the benefits of a mentorship sooner than later, you must be willing to put in the work first. A good example is to look at the length of time it takes for anything to grow and develop into near perfection. We see it in all levels of professionalism on a personal development journey. Mentors may enter a long-term relationship or function as an independent source of career advice and support. At a minimum, mentors and mentees should meet at least one hour per month for six months to a year. A mutual agreement is important to have open and honest discussions to determine if both parties have achieved objectives.
Managing your career development in life through effective mentoring will gain benefits over a lifespan. Effective mentors encourage mentees to focus on the essential framework for a successful relationship through communication, collaboration, and coaching. The rewards of mentoring go beyond teaching jobs or career skills. One of my most memorable mentoring experiences involved helping an employee who coped with her self-esteem. We worked on ways to improve her confidence by taking bold steps on her journey to believe in herself that increased her competence and heightened her performance level.
After forty years of dedicated entrepreneurship and management, I remember the special networks and shared connections that I received as a form of mentoring during my early business years. Then, it was important to be involved in professional associations and groups that provided support, education, and guidance. In those days, it was most essential for small businesses to seek mentoring through connections that were helpful in opening doors to collaborative opportunities for growth and development, leaving a lifetime of memories and relationships on the journey.
Is now a suitable time for you to have a mentor? Take a look at some reasons why you might want to have a mentor on your journey now. Personal Development; Source of knowledge or experience; Career Goals; Networking Connections; Honest feedback for changes in personal or professional life; Confidential Ally; Encouragement; or Someone who brings a fresh perspective on life and living with purpose. Whatever the reason, finding the right mentor takes time and research to find the best person. First, be clear about understanding your needs, second, define your why, and third, prepare yourself for mentoring to reach higher plateaus. Always be open-minded to the advice that will help you on the path to success and greatness.
Milestones are important to mark progress in life with accomplishments and creating fulfillment. Mentoring for life’s journey helps visualize the fulfillment that you want in life and adds more value to your personal development aspirations and lifelong learning. Whether you are working on your next accomplishment or seeking out the best in yourself to share with others, the pursuit can become a significant milestone with a good mentor.
The future of your journey for personal development and professional growth is driven passionately by your attitude and commitment to learning. Navigating the world of great opportunities throughout life will come with experience. A mentoring journey is having the support of an alliance that gives helpful guidance to your experience that provides meaningful and impactful connections. Fostering a culture of mentorship is a growing trend by thought leaders on the subject of developmental relationships for career advancement or skill-building.
The patronage, influence, and guidance in a mentorship are reciprocal and can involve social support factors through planned activities. Mentoring is a formal or informal relationship where a more experienced individual helps the less experienced individual in making significant transitions in knowledge, work or thinking, often in an organizational setting. It is related to self-development, professional growth and career development of the mentee. The key components of an effective mentoring relationship will include open communications and accessibility, goals and challenges, passion and inspiration, mutual respect and trust, exchange of knowledge, role modeling, and a caring personal relationship.
Discovering the power of a successful mentorship can help unlock your professional potential. Important qualities to look for in a mentor include finding a leader who you admire and tapping into their unique experience and perspectives that will help to elevate and build your career and support your personal growth. A good mentor is interested in helping you without any official reward but is someone who genuinely wants to see you succeed.
Mentoring is the ultimate sharing of expertise, values, skills, and perspectives. Mentors function as a catalyst for positive changes and directions on an individual’s personal life’s journey. Our entire lives are a journey. Mentoring may move us in experiences with amazing life gifts along the way. The benefits of being mentored go beyond achieving career goals. Self-improvement and personal development are extended rewards for those pursuing a transformative journey and seeking fulfillment in life.
Mentorship has been advocated as a career and personal development practice for years. Mentoring became increasingly popular over the last two decades of the twentieth century. A mentor is a valuable teacher for any company. In addition, a solid mentoring program can be a fundamental cornerstone to a company’s success. More organizations are providing mentors in the workplace to help facilitate high potential leaders and as a learning and development initiative with a reported increase in productivity and profits. The benefits are vast for both the person being mentored and the person doing the mentoring. According to research, 84% of Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs, and 100% of Fortune 50 companies (Source). Ninety-four percent of employees said they would stay at a company longer if they were offered opportunities to gain experience and grow.
Personal growth and self-improvement have been around since the beginning of civilization. Every human consciously or unconsciously has a path of development. Mentoring can be an integral part of the path of your successful development journey. Great mentors have the ability to leave an enduring impression. Look for these traits and characteristics when considering a mentor. Enthusiasm and passion, time for you, motivation, candid and truthful, exquisite listener, self-awareness and values, empathy, clearly communicates, implements initiative-taking feedback, and cares genuinely.
If you are interested in seeking a mentorship program for personal development, self-improvement, career guidance, or professional growth, please contact me here or visit here for more information.
Original article published in Brainz Magazine on October 10, 2023.