January is National Mentoring Month
Did you know that January is National Mentoring Month? This is a month-long campaign to promote youth mentoring in the US that began in 2002.
A wide variety of groups participate in this campaign from national nonprofit organizations, government agencies and small businesses. It is also a wonderful opportunity for your office to get more involved with your local community.
Mentors can make a huge impact upon the individuals the serve and the communities they are in. Below are some of the most important traits for an effective mentorship.
A successful mentorship requires active listening. That means both parties take notes when the other is speaking, they ask questions and provide non-verbal gestures which indicate that they are truly engaged in the discussion.
Both mentors and mentees should be dedicated to a successful partnership. Each party must take pride in their own work and professional future, as well as the success of the other person. True mentorships are mutually beneficial despite the differences in experience and responsibilities.
Effective mentorships involve people who are also committed to the success of the business or organization itself. This is vital because people who believe “it’s about more than themselves” are more willing to genuinely invest themselves into the relationship.
The very best mentors and mentees are naturally curious individuals who go looking for the answers they need. These are the people who will put time and effort into reading articles on mentoring best practices and listen to tutorials to help forge a strong mentorship.
Successful mentoring relationships include individuals who are truly engaged. They see work as something more than a job. Essentially, they have a big picture mentality of the world that allows for a more effective mentorship.
Finally, ideal candidates for a mentorship can move outside their comfort zones. They will try new things and consider new ideas or perspectives in an endeavor to grow personally and professionally.
In this new year, consider starting up a mentorship program in your own office. You might work with nonprofit groups, local organizations, or your employee’s families to benefit the youth in your community and grow as business leaders. And for more products and services to better equip your office, visit our website today.