Most successful people have mentors. They understand the
power of mentoring and the difference it can make to their career and life. Mentorship
is not reserved for a select few - it is for everyone. You are never too young,
old, experienced, wise or successful to have mentors. In fact, it is more
common than you think.
I attend numerous events, where I hear the
words “My Mentor” being mentioned again and again. Make a point of listening out
for these words the next time you attend a speaking event or engagement.
As you get to understand what mentoring truly is, the more
you will realize, that it is not surprising at all, that many successful and
influential people’s defining moments in life, have a strong connection to a
mentoring relationship.
Having a mentor empowers you to be the best you can be. They
help you, by guiding and supporting you, enabling you to focus on your goals
and maximize your potential. They hold you accountable and believe in your
capabilities regardless of the challenges you face.
I believe in mentorship, and I understand firsthand the
benefits of being mentored and mentoring others. This is the reason why I
developed Mentors Insync, a platform to help you connect with mentors. You will
no longer have the excuse “I don’t know where to find a Mentor,” because we make
it easy for you to find and connect with those people who want to help you.
GET yourself a MENTOR if you are looking to get ahead, wanting
to deliver great results or have the desire to reach your ultimate potential. A
mentor will help you: find your true purpose, advance in your career and help
you to build a business. A mentor opens doors, focuses on your goals, keeps you
accountable, inspires and motivates you and has your back.
Mentors do not give advice, but rather share information based
on their own experiences which relate to your situation. They ask relevant questions
directed in a specific way, that helps to provide you with insight to find
solutions yourself. In some cases, it may seem like an apprenticeship, where
the person is able to develop their skills based on their mentor’s knowledge
and expertise.
Tapping into the right types of mentors is purely based on
your needs and circumstances at the time. Therefore, as your needs change, so
will the type of mentor you will require.
So, what is the catch? Well it begins and ends with you. You
have to make the first move; you have to ask for help; you have to want the
help; you have to decide on your needs and goals; you need to determine what
exactly you want help with. It is as my 16-year-old son’s teacher puts it:
“It’s up to you to ask for help, we are all here to help you, all you need to
do is ask.”
There are so many good reasons for having mentors, that you
would have to think twice about why wouldn’t you have at least one?
My understanding of mentorship is unique, yet aligned with
people’s needs. My passion and focus is on making a difference to people’s
lives, and I know mentorship is that difference. Mentors Insync delivers a
solution that is disruptive in its approach, provides equal opportunity and
promotes corporate social responsibility.
I, myself, have reached out to many people asking for their
help, especially whilst building this business. Many have been incredible
mentors, some whom I will continue to have for life whilst, others will become
new mentors as I continue to grow and develop.
Mentoring is a two-way relationship, a collaborative sharing
of knowledge and experiences. Mentors have
just as much to gain from these mentoring relationships, something that is
especially evident where reverse mentoring is concerned. But for mentorship to
work best, both parties need to be actively involved in the relationship.
Mentoring is becoming more popular as people are recognizing
its potential and benefits. Mentors are a valuable resource that everyone can
tap into. CEO’s and even the biggest names in business; “Bill Gates, Mark
Zuckerberg Oprah Winfrey etc., acknowledge their own need for mentors."
According
to Management Mentors “more and more, people and
organizations are recognizing the importance and value of mentoring. In today's
ultra-competitive workforce, businesses can't afford NOT to have a business
mentoring program. After all, the skills of company’s executives and employees
are their most valuable assets.” For example:
- 80% of CEOs polled stated they have had mentors.
- Access to mentors has given them insider knowledge and access to power.
- Mentoring has assisted them in having careers that are fast tracked and forward moving, which they claim would have been much harder or impossible otherwise.
- Data, from an Emerging Workforce Study, showed that 35% of employees who don’t receive regular mentoring plan to look for another job within 12 months.
Now that you understand that having a mentor is no longer a luxury
or a desire, but rather a necessity, if you want to be the best, have the
chance to be recognized, be given every opportunity to succeed and stand out
from the crowds, GET a MENTOR.
For organizations, if you want to hold onto great talent, improve
engagement and productivity, and make a difference to the bottom line – You
need to have a MENTORING PROGRAM.
