How to Learn Mentoring
A mentoring relationship in a corporate environment can provide benefits to both people involved. As a veteran employee with extensive workplace experience, you can offer valuable guidance to a younger worker. The promotion rate is twice as high for workers who have had mentors, according to a study by Professor Ellen A. Fagenson-Eland in the December 2001 issue of the "Journal of Applied Social Psychology." Mentors find it rewarding to watch the person they are mentoring achieve success. Even if you have never served as a mentor, you can learn the necessary skills and enjoy the process.
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Instructions
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Sign up for a formal mentoring program in your workplace, if your company offers one. Many young employees are eager to form relationships with established executives who can assist them in enhancing their careers. A typical formal mentoring program at a corporation lasts from several months to a year. It entails orientation meetings that aid in the learning process, training sessions, feedback forms and evaluations.
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Establish an informal business relationship with a younger colleague you respect, even if your company does not have a formal mentoring program. Ask the person outright if he would like you to become his mentor once you feel comfortable with each other. Alternatively, state how much you have enjoyed sharing your wisdom and ask him if he would like to hear more.
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Nurture the relationship by meeting in person at regular intervals, speaking on the phone and exchanging emails. Schedule the meetings for the office, at a restaurant or anywhere both parties feel free to exchange ideas and speak candidly about work issues.
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Teach the person you are mentoring about the skills and knowledge required to succeed in your field. Include the formal guidelines of your profession as well as any unwritten rules related to your field that will help the person advance in his career. Answer his questions in a frank and colloquial manner.
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Use friendly gestures, such as smiling, nodding and offering firm handshakes, during your mentoring meetings. Maintain good eye contact and open body posture, such as holding your arms by your sides in a relaxed manner.
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Set up a series of career goals for the person you are mentoring. Offer technical advice related to your profession as well as general encouragement to help him achieve the goals. Introduce the person you are mentoring to other executives who can help his career at the appropriate time.
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Tips & Warnings
Express a positive, upbeat attitude in your mentoring relationship.
Do not be controlling, possessive or judgmental as a mentor.
Do not serve as a mentor to an employee under your direct supervision. This relationship could inhibit a free exchange of ideas about the direction of the workplace.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit business colleagues preparing for business meeting image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
