A mentoring relationship is truly a win-win; however, it all begins with a personal connection.

Have you ever been asked to think of the best mentor you’ve had and why they were so great? The person who comes to mind as your response is most likely someone who has cheered you on and encouraged you, challenged you to step outside of your comfort zone, or provided you with sound advice as you navigated a new or difficult situation. The reason the characteristics of this individual stand out to you is because of the connection you created with them. It is crucial to foster and build on these personal connections in order to have a positive mentoring relationship. The question is: where do you begin?

Every successful mentor relationship blossoms out of a welcoming environment. It's the role of practitioners and leaders to help foster these mentorships by creating an environment promoting authentic connection. Whether this is to share in a culture of inclusivity and openness, or to set up formal and informal mentoring programs, leaders and mentors lay the groundwork for others to create lasting, meaningful professional connections. The goal for any mentor or mentee is to carry your connections -- and the knowledge and wisdom they bring -- with you throughout your career. Research shows, if learners leverage their mentor connections to their greatest potential, they are more likely to put what they are learning into practice, and thus excel in their current or future roles. Seems like a win-win for everyone involved, right? 

The Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring defines mentoring as, "... to support and encourage people to manage their own learning in order that they may maximize their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance." Ultimately, your role as the learner or mentee in a mentoring relationship is to define expectations, actively participate, be open and honest, and keep the lines of communication open. If you put in the effort, you will reap all the benefits of a positive mentoring relationship, which extends exponentially to the mentor and the organization. 

KerberRose offers consulting and Advisory Services for Human Resources and Leadership Development, which may be the right fit for companies looking for guidance in mentorship, leardership and succession planning areas. The positive influence of mentoring on all parties involved in the relationship is hard to ignore -- if you and your organization would like to develop an effective mentorship program, contact a Trusted Advisor from our consulting team. Let us help your organization create win-win connections.