The journey from mentee to mentor is a nuanced one where the boundaries blur and expertise accumulates over time. This transition marks a shift from receiving guidance to becoming a guiding force by sharing experiential lessons learned and encouragement.
Embracing this mentorship opportunity signifies a profound commitment to share your expertise, foster meaningful connections, and inspire the next generation of aspiring professionals.
How do you know when to make the transition from mentee to mentor?
It seems daunting, so how do you know when to make this step? I don't think it happens on a specific day, all at once. As I looked deeper into the benefits of mentorship, I was struck by these compelling statistics. For example, 70% of businesses that received mentoring survived more than five years, which is twice the rate of survival for non-mentored businesses.
Another survey reported that 67% of businesses increased their productivity through mentorship and 55% stated it had a positive impact on their profits. It can also make you feel happier and more fulfilled because you're doing something good for another person.
My strategy toward mentorship is this: Be the person you needed 10 or 20 years ago. So if you're ready to be that person and begin mentoring others, here are five tips to get started.
1. Be an extraordinary listener.
The value of mentorship over other forms of education is the personal relationship. When you're mentoring someone, that relationship is more about them than it is about you. You need to become a good listener in order to build trust and understand the unique situations and concerns of your mentee.
Becoming a better listener doesn't just mean talking less and nodding a lot. The best way to listen is to learn to ask better questions. Good questions can help you identify someone's thoughts, motivations, goals, and feelings. When you understand someone well, you can give better advice and even help them understand themselves better, which leads to better decision-making.
When you learn to ask good questions, you may be surprised by what you learn from the answers — everyone has something they can teach you. Remember that mentorship is a two-sided relationship, and there are many ways it can help you grow, whether that's through learning new information or practicing interpersonal and leadership skills.
2. Be generous with your knowledge.
Whether you're mentoring a single individual, leading a coaching program, or creating resources for younger leaders, be generous with what you know. The more information you give people, the better you enable them to succeed.
Sometimes it can be difficult to give away knowledge that took years for you to learn. And while you can certainly charge for courses or coaching programs, the information you give away for free can bring people to you. Remember that it takes more than knowledge to succeed — it also takes a great deal of hard work.
3. Help others make meaningful connections.
One of the best things a mentor can do for a mentee is to help them build their network. Often the opportunities we receive are a result of who we know. As someone with more experience, you've already built a network. Who do you know that could create a beneficial relationship for your mentee?
I like to take making connections a step further. I'm not able to mentor as many people as I like, but I can always make introductions. Introducing two people to each other can potentially have long-term benefits for either party involved, or even for you, though these benefits may not be immediately apparent.
And when you develop a reputation for helping others make connections, you put yourself in a greater position to hear about new opportunities.
4. Remember what your mentors did to support you.
When you were a young business leader, what kind of help did you need? What did your mentors do for you that made a difference in your career? Think back to the relationships you had, both in business and in your personal life, that helped you succeed.
What aspects of those relationships would you like to pass along to your mentee? It's incredibly satisfying to be able to pass along the knowledge and inspiration that was given to you. Not only can it make you feel good, but identifying the most valuable things your mentors taught you can help you to remember and enact those lessons.
5. Continue to seek mentorship to continue to grow.
You're never too smart, too experienced, or too old to receive mentorship. Being a lifelong learner is one of the best traits a person can have. It may take some humility, but being willing to be coached and to constantly grow can help you get a step ahead and push you toward success.
Just like passing on the things your mentors taught you, continuing to receive mentorship can help you learn more valuable lessons you can pass on to your mentee.
Make the jump.
As you navigate this path from mentee to mentor, you can discover newfound confidence and the ability to guide and inspire others with the wisdom and insights you have gained. It is a journey of growth, where the roles of student and teacher converge, and the impact you make on the lives of others becomes a testament to the power of mentorship.
Embrace the evolution, embrace the opportunity, and embrace the profound fulfillment that comes with shaping the next generation of leaders. Take the first step into the world of mentorship and witness the profound positive impact you can have on someone else's journey.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
