Effective mentoring is a connection and communication between an expert in a field and an amateur. The kind of communication that exists in mentoring is one where the guru in any field shares beneficial information with those who seek such knowledge.
During mentoring, there is no exchange of money. A mentor offers their services for free. Most mentors see their offer as a service to mankind. In some cases, the mentor chooses the best amongst the group of amateurs, to mentor.
Mentees who enjoy mentorship, seek more knowledge about the field they are interested in. During the mentorship, mentees get to listen, learn and ask questions on topics they do not understand. Some mentorship program involves mentees working for a while with their mentors. This will give mentees life experience in growth and development. Sometimes, mentees are paid a stipend to encourage them to work. It is a well-established organization that pays mentees to learn. Individual or private mentors rarely pay mentees.
When a person is seeking mentorship, they have to be prepared to be disciplined and smart. Mentors like to work with mentees that are accessible and also willing to learn. If a mentor offers to render expertise in a field to persons or people it means they seek the growth and development of not only their mentees but the whole society. It is pertinent to note that everyone needs mentorship. This is because, learning at first instance is hard, but through guidance(mentorship) it becomes easy and clear.
Mentorship is the fastest way to get to the top, all you need to do is find the appropriate mentor to guide and you in return give out stewardship.
Importance Of Mentoring
Mentoring involves two or more people connecting for the betterment of well-being. These two persons or more include a mentor who is offering knowledge through years of experience and a mentee who will be offering stewardship.
Both mentors and mentees benefit from mentorship. Mentoring helps both parties advance their career and personal development. If the connection is one with respect, then there will be a lifelong relationship.
Importance of Mentoring for Mentors
Creates confidence to see some grow under the great guidance
Helps in learning different leadership styles
Helps solve knowledge gaps in areas that are not familiar
Helps improve communication skills, especially for mentors who do not know how to express themselves in a crowd.
Gives insight into continuous learning
Attracts talented amateurs who will help in research activities
Makes mentors accountable for the expertise they are rendering.
Importance of Mentoring for Mentees
Boosts self-confidence to be associated with a great mentor and the knowledge/discipline learned during the mentoring.
Helps learn new skills, that will help in the areas of both career and personal development.
Make the mentee make a great decision on a good path for greater well-being
Helps reduce procrastination
Helps to achieve goals and plans faster and with few setbacks
Opportunity to meet with and interact with an expert for free
Breaks communication barrier
Strengthens relationship ties with the mentor as the mentee offers stewardship
The impact that mentoring brings cannot be over-emphasized. Mentoring brings people of the same interest or like minds together, which is why it is easy for both mentors and mentees to work together.
Mentoring And Mental Health
When it comes to mental health, mentoring is one therapeutic activity that can help reduce anxiety, stress, or depression. When people come for therapy sessions, they want someone they can talk to, they also want to get insight on a particular area of their life.
In some cases, these persons are experiencing normal fear or worry in some aspects of their life like relationships, careers, etc. They do not need lots of sessions. These persons need a constant reminder that everything will be ok.
For instance, people who are afraid to take a step in their business or do not know how to take their career to the next level. So, all they do is worry and become afraid and remain stagnant. But with the help of an expert, sharing insight about business and career development, such worry or fear decreases. Vision on how to move forward becomes clearer with every decision taken.
Since mentoring helps boost confidence for both mentors and mentees, the boosted confidence helps improve mental health. Mentees do not feel judged and their opinion is always heard. The mentors feel very accountable and assume leadership roles over their mentees.
Some mental health professionals, serve as a mentor to their clients. This is because they also offer some kind of coaching services. Some of these professionals are attached to an organization and know a lot about its operation. This makes it easy for those working in the organization to share their challenges.
Criteria for Choosing a Mentor
Choosing a mentor can be challenging and easy at the same time. It can be easy because you have found someone who has great knowledge about the things that are of the same interest. And it can be challenging because it might take a while to find the best fit.
It is best to be observant and listen to the wording of the supposed mentor before going to seek mentoring. This is not equal to stalking, it means there needs to be an acceptance of both intellect and behaviour before one can be considered for mentoring.
Here is how to find out if a mentor is right for you:
Interest: find out if such a person has an interest in what you seek. Are they experts in the field of your interest? Have they written or talked about my interest? What does their behaviour say about my interest?
Working relationship: some mentors and mentees are difficult to work with. But in the case of choosing a mentor after observing character, is the mentor someone you would want to work with? Do they have integrity?
Challenging: mentors are supposed to challenge their mentees. So, in choosing a mentor, do not look for the easygoing one, but the one who can challenge your thinking and make you ask for more knowledge.
Please note that when choosing a mentor, it is good that mentees have some essential skills to offer. Most mentors look for talented mentees because they are easy to work with. If you are inexperienced but need a mentor, try reading their books or listening to what they say. Also, have a skill that will be beneficial to your mentor.
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