3. Why be a mentor?
Mentoring isn’t necessarily for everyone, however there are significant positives that might be gained from being a mentor.
Activity 3.1
What benefits do you feel you personally might be able to gain from becoming a mentor?
Feedback
Research suggests that some of the key benefits gained by those undertaking a mentoring role include:
- Develops managerial skills by taking responsibility for others, empathising, and discussing problematic workplace performance situations.
- Develops communication skills (i.e. questioning and listening), something that can help mentors in their wider professional lives.
- Provides additional skills that can be highlighted when applying for new roles.
- Becomes aware of their own development needs while supporting a mentee
- Learns from their mentees and colleagues who bring with them fresh perspectives and new ideas, something that can, in turn, help to develop the mentor’s own problem solving skills.
- Gains additional networking opportunities.
Activity 3.2
Before moving on to the next section of the course, take a minute to think about what it is that you feel you’d personally like to gain from your experiences as a mentor.
2. The benefits of mentoring