Basically, a mentee seeks a mentor for guidance to quickly and efficiently attain goals.A mentor’s primary objective is to show a mentee how to attain goals in the fastest and most efficient way possible. With their expertise on a certain field, mentors are expected to impart relevant knowledge that gives their mentee an edge over their competitors. The years of experience that a mentor has also gives a mentee a heads up on the usual challenges that one may run across and how to avoid them.
Mentorship is ultimately directed towards helping a newbie so at a glance, it may seem like the mentee is the only one getting all the benefits. A closer look, though, will reveal that the mentor-mentee relationship is a two-way street. As good mentors exert time and effort to counsel a mentee, they also gain valuable skills and learn something new that will help them grow as a person.
Here are five ways mentorship helps a mentor grow:
Enhances communication skills.
To give sound advice, the mentor first assess the strengths and weaknesses of the mentee. To fully understand the person they want to coach, mentors have to be ready to attentively listen. This process will likely involve a lot of discussion, and as both parties actively exchange insights, communication skills are sharpened. Mentors should learn to listen patiently without judging and to gently persuade a person to express their thoughts.
Develops leadership skills.
Mentors groom the people under their wing to excellence. To lead people to success, a coach may ask a mentee to perform tasks or follow specific instructions. Without leadership skills, getting people to perform to the best of their ability can be difficult. In the course of mentoring, mentors learn to adapt skills and implement strategies that make them effective leaders.
Expands knowledge with input of fresh ideas.
Mentorship works best when both parties willingly share ideas and concepts. For example, the primary goal of a business coach may be to educate an aspiring entrepreneur about the tools of the trade or maybe divulge some helpful hacks that can hasten profits. As the learning happens, the mentee can also provide information about the latest trends that the mentor may not be aware of. The mentor may even be surprised with unconventional ideas that can come from the mentee. An expert may have extensive understanding about a certain area, but as mentors, they get an opportunity to expand their own knowledge and learn new concepts.
Boosts self-esteem.
Teaching by example is more effective than simply presenting theories. To demonstrate what it takes to achieve success, a good mentor should practice what he or she preaches. By being a role model, a mentor displays and further develops traits such as confidence and intelligence.
Improves emotional intelligence.
Intelligence is a key factor in training others. However, mere knowledge about theories and principles will not suffice when it comes to being a good mentor. Dealing with a mentee also requires a mentor to be understanding and patient. In the long run, inspiring and motivating people further builds a stronger and more resilient character.
Mentorship is a process that hones and sharpens the skills of everyone involved. The mentor learns and grows with the mentee. In the end, the act of positively influencing and guiding someone to succeed can bring multiple rewards and immense fulfillment.
