How to Become A Better Mentor

Being a mentor means sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience with someone just starting out. All of us have had educators since we first started school—teachers who were willing to share their knowledge. However, a mentor is more than someone who gives out facts—after all, no one would call Google a great mentor. Becoming a mentor involves taking a personal interest in someone to guide them to become successful in their career.

But why is mentoring so important? What makes a mentor stand out from a teacher? And how can we become better mentors?

In this article, you will find answers to why every successful person should strive to become a better mentor.  

What is a mentor?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a mentor is a “person who gives a less experienced person help and advice over time”. So, the role of a mentor goes beyond just passing on knowledge. Mentors provide guidance and life lessons. They are sources of inspiration and motivation. And, the role of a mentor is to share wisdom rather than just intelligence.

In most cases, a mentor’s role is a long-lasting one. However, the positive impact of a mentor can happen in as much time as it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee.

Why are mentors so important?

Mentors are important because they have something that newbies don’t—experience. While the next generation may have the most recent and relevant knowledge, they lack the career skills mentors possess.

To illustrate why mentors are important, let’s use the example of a sports trainer. Now, a trainer or coach may be hitting their 50s, be a bit out of shape, and probably can’t do what their prodigy can. However, the mentor can pass on their experience—something the new athlete doesn’t have. So, while the athlete may have the potential to achieve greatness, they need the trainer’s mentorship to do that.

According to a study published in Forbes, 76 percent of people say that mentors are vital. However, only 37 percent of people have a mentor in their professional career. Also, people who have a mentor are more satisfied with their current job than those without one.

Long-term benefits of mentoring

There are several benefits for both the mentor and mentee—ones that will stay with them throughout their careers, and probably longer.

The first benefit for both parties is that there is an increased level of confidence. Mentees feel more confident in their new roles, while mentors feel good about what they have achieved so far.

Another benefit is that mentoring creates strong relationships within the workplace. Many studies show that this reduces the amount of stress and leads to a more positive environment. This, in turn, leads to better employee retention.

A further benefit of mentoring is that it’s easier to collaborate with others. The strong relationship between mentor and mentee means there’s a smaller social gap, and it’s easier to learn new skills.

How to be a successful mentor

Let’s look at a few ways you can become a trusted mentor to someone on your team.

Establish your relationship

The American Psychological Association reports that it’s essential to establish boundaries and expectations. While you need to cultivate an excellent rapport with your mentee, you need to keep and maintain appropriate boundaries.

Work on improving communication

As a mentor, you should actively listen to what your mentee wants to achieve in the short-term and the long-term. Although you may see your younger self in them, you mustn’t impose your unfulfilled desires on them. Your guidance needs to be based on what you have heard from them. Mentoring isn’t about you talking and your mentee listening—it requires discussions.

Ensure your criticism is constructive

How you deliver your feedback will have a significant impact on the progress of your mentee. While you don’t want to sugar coat things so as not to hurt their feelings, you also don’t want to go to the other extreme of just criticising. Remember the sandwich method—the meat is your criticism and the bread on either side is praise.

Maintain a level of balance within the relationship

Naturally, you have a senior role, and your mentee is a subordinate. But you need to avoid an attitude of superiority. Mentees need to feel comfortable enough with you to be the one to initiate meetings, ask for advice, and even reject advice at times.

Allow your mentee freedom to make decisions

Taking control of every situation is an easy mistake for mentors to make. Your job is to steer the mentee in the right direction, not to do everything for them. Remember, give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him how to fish, and you feed him for life.