8 essential roles for the successful mentor
Do you have what it takes to help a junior employee navigate the corporate world? Find out which hats you must don as you take up this deeply rewarding challenge.
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” —John C. Crosby
One of the most important roles of a leader is to provide workplace supervision. It is our duty to manage others in their work (particularly those who are new or less experienced) and ensure they perform their duties correctly and on schedule. Without such supervision, it’s generally assumed workers will slack off and underperform.
If we want people to grow in their positions, stay with the organization and achieve optimal job satisfaction, we also must provide mentorship. (A 2013 Vestrics study found that employee retention rates climbed 69 percent for mentors and 72 percent for mentees over a seven-year period.)
Mentorship is a relationship between an experienced professional and a less-experienced mentee or protégé. Its purpose is to build a support system that allows for the natural exchange of ideas and a forum for constructive advice.
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