Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.  John C. Crosby, 19^th-century American Politician.

The origins of mentoring come from Greek mythology when the King of Ithaca went to fight the Trojan War. Upon his leave, he entrusted his household to his old friend Mentor. Of significance, the King Odysseus, asked Mentor to serve as teacher and oversee the development of his son, Telemachus.

Business mentorship is the modern-day equivalent of an apprenticeship, which was so common a hundred years ago. But as popular TV shows such as The Apprentice demonstrate, the enthusiastic and tenacious young people starting out in business crave experience and knowledge to eliminate financial and strategic mistakes. In the fast-paced business environment, the approach to “planned” mentoring serves individuals starting out in business, returning after a long absence, doubting direction, changing direction and those assuming a senior post.

The onus to be a role model is far greater for a corporate mentor than a coach. A coach has an agenda to reinforce skills; a mentor allows a mentee to develop his or her own skills. Guidance is provided based on a wider context of future ambitions as the targets are more long-term with mentoring, therefore duration of the relationship is more fluid and there is a greater scope for spontaneity in the meetings.

Working situations that most commonly benefit from mentoring include high potential employees, new department or company hires, motivated staff, people on career breaks and low-achieving employees.

The benefits of mentoring for companies, as identified by our clients, are:

• Raises productivity
• Helps manage change
• Develops leadership style
• Retains qualified employees
• Corrects deficiencies
• Gives a better understanding of staff
• Ensures continuity and integrate new recruits
• Mentee learns how to delegate, motivate others and identify a leadership style that works

Contact Mentor Works today to learn more about the benefits of mentoring and our business coaching services.