4.2 Progressing your career

An Art of Mentoring post (no date) presents the following list of ways that being a mentor can benefit your career:

1. Become a better leader
2. Learn more about your company or profession
3. Achieve personal career gains
4. Shape the leaders of tomorrow
5. Gain new perspectives and fresh ideas
6. Put your finger on the pulse of a younger generation
7. Change someone’s world
8. Exercise emotional intelligence
9. Strengthen the lessons you’ve already learned
10. Improve productivity
11. Feel good about yourself.

Expanding on point 3, the author refers to research conducted by Sun Microsystems between 2010 and 2015, which found that employees who had acted as mentors were six times more likely to be promoted than those who hadn’t, and 20% more likely to get a pay rise.

Of course, having a mentoring role on your CV will also be of interest to future employers. It provides evidence of your commitment to learning and development; a range of important communication skills such as building rapport, listening and questioning; and your desire to share your knowledge and experience, benefitting your mentees and your organisation. This could be particularly relevant if you are applying for a management or leadership role and want to demonstrate your interest in developing and supporting people.