The Benefits of Coaching and Mentoring
Well-mentored individuals feel that they are being looked after, gain confidence in their abilities and respond accordingly. They are often happier, more loyal and productive as a result.
This section describes:-
- How you can benefit by running a mentoring scheme
- How the mentee can benefit
- How the mentor can benefit
So what do mentors do?
As a mentor your focus is the development of your mentee. You will be required to take on a number of challenging, yet rewarding roles.
Most mentees need help with their careers, so you need to take a strong interest in your mentee's working life. Creating opportunities for them to move into new jobs or learning situations underlines this interest. Always be looking to steer your mentee towards acquiring knowledge, new skills and understanding. Sharing your own experiences is often the best starting point.
Rather than dictating what should be done you will be looking for situations to empower your mentee; your role is to help them build up their confidence and abilities to take responsibility for themselves, their careers and their own development.
You will be expected to offer support, a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on and always plenty of encouragement!
Most mentoring relationships involve a mixture of all of the above, with the emphasis shifting from time to time as new crises or opportunities open up, or as your mentee makes progress.
Our Mentors handbook provides further details on the role of the mentor.
Why run a mentoring scheme?
As mentees gain confidence they become more effective at what they do and employees on mentoring schemes tend to stay with their companies longer.
Mentoring schemes make integration into a group or organisation smoother and speedier and can be a useful asset in attracting and retaining the right calibre of staff. As mentees develop their ability to communicate the whole organisation can become better informed and relationships tend to be more harmonious.
As far as development is concerned, you are getting "two for the price of one"; the progression of both the mentor and the mentee.
Other advantages of this scheme include:
- The improved motivation of employees
- It legitimises "soft skills" and promotes taking more time for reflection
- It can stimulate entrepreneurial thinking and behaviour
- Immediate/line managers are able to suggest the mentee take a difficult issue to the mentor for a different perspective or expertise.
Benefits for mentees
Mentees can benefit in a number of ways.
They will become more able to cope with critical transitions, such as taking on a new job, returning to work from maternity, or dealing with stress in their lives. A good mentor will also encourage the mentee to apply what has been learned and make sense of experiences.
As a mentee you'll become more resourceful, develop your own networks of support and be keen to continue your path of self-improvement.
Our Mentees Handbook describes more about the advantages of being a mentee.
Benefits for mentors
Individuals who have become successful mentors have said the mentoring role provides:
- incredible satisfaction in being able to contribute to someone else's growth
- a wonderful opportunity to improve their own learning
As a mentor you will have an opportunity to reflect on issues raised and perhaps address your own thinking and methods to make improvements. It can also stimulate a renewed focus on your own career development.
Some mentoring relationships benefit from the familiarity of shared concerns; others benefit from differences in perspective. For example, a mentee from a younger generation or different gender or racial background can help you improve your knowledge and understanding of their perspective.