Corporate profits are under pressure. Growth is tough to come by. What's an unexpected solution? Mentoring employees.
Giving employees extra attention during a tough economy can help your company fare better than others, says Tal Goldhamer, chief learning officer for EY Americas, a professional services firm. Effective mentoring "often results in longer average tenures and improved performance ratings," he said.
In a perfect world, all employees would come to a company with fully developed skills. That's not the case. And everyone can improve whether they are starting their career or in the middle of one with proper mentoring. Top performers in all fields often talk about how they can still get better at what they do by learning from others.
Mentoring Tip: Be Open-Minded
How do you choose whom you will mentor? Wipe away your assumptions about employees.
When mentoring employees, listening and remaining impartial can help you see who needs help. You'll also discover how to best help them, says Joe Galvin, chief research officer of Vistage, a CEO coaching and peer advisory organization.
"It is crucial (that people being mentored) feel they can rely on their mentor without fear of judgment or bias," he said.
Use Targeted Mentoring
Take time to find out what mentees want to learn, says Joey Delovino, president and COO of Unify Consulting, a management consulting firm. He approaches mentoring by understanding "where mentees ultimately want to go and what they want to be."
"The best way to learn is to do, (so) I work with them on focusing and taking action on the things that will impact their goals the most," he said.
Encourage Vulnerability To Be An Effective Mentor
Being part of a mentoring relationship can be mutually beneficial. To reap the benefits, participants must be candid with each other in developing a relationship, Goldhamer said.
And when mentors talk about setbacks and failures, it opens up communication even more, says Keith Krach, former CEO and chairman of DocuSign and founder of the Global Mentor Network.
When you show your vulnerability, people will open up, Krach finds. Showing vulnerability leads to solid communication. That's because you form a connection and trust.
Get Close To Your Mentee's Work
It may not be possible for mentors and mentees to work on projects together. So create your own form of a "jam session," said Vickie Chiang, head of user experience and design for Quizlet, a learning platform.
It's valuable for mentors to get close to the work of the people they're mentoring. They must understand the roadblocks they're hitting, she says. This deeper understanding of others' work allows you to connect with opportunities. Mentees can contribute and grow as a result.
"Too often, mentorship stops at broad advice," Chiang said. While that can be helpful, "it's not as impactful as mentorship tailored to specific responsibilities."
Set An Example
Mentors should live lessons, not just speak them. Hall of Fame baseball player Harmon Killebrew passed away in 2011. But he made a lasting impression on his younger former teammate and mentee Rod Carew. "(Harmon) was a consummate professional who treated everyone, from the brashest of rookies to the groundskeepers to the ushers in the stadium, with the utmost of respect. I would not be the person I am today if it weren't for Harmon Killebrew."
Stay True To The Mission
Perhaps one of the most important practices as a mentor is to participate for the right reasons and without ulterior motives, Galvin says. Simply put, "a mentor is meant to coach an employee and help an employee further develop their career," Galvin said.
