Mentorship Programs Tips and Advice

Mentorship Programs Tips and AdviceMentorship Programs Tips and AdviceMentorship programs have become an essential staff development tool for businesses of all sizes. A strong mentor-mentee relationship can help new and existing employees learn the ropes from a veteran, while also helping the more seasoned worker see solutions and approaches to company initiatives from a fresh perspective.The purpose of a mentorship program is to provide an additional source of support during an employees orientation - but mentorship can also come later in a workers time with the company.A trusted guideA mentor is a member of your team who teaches or gives help and advice to a less-experienced staff member. Mentors act as a new hires guide to your workplace and allow newcomers to gain valuable, real-world experience and skills that are difficult to grasp in a classroom setting or workshops.A company-culture ambassadorThe one-on-one quality of the relationship cultivated within mentorship programs he lps a new hire integrate quickly into your firms culture and become a productive member of the staff.These pairings supplement your onboarding efforts, helping fill in the gaps.Mentors can introduce newcomers to individuals in other work areas and serve as a sounding board for thoughts, ideas and concerns.Good mentor-protg relationships also nurture an inviting culture, demonstrating to newcomers the benefits of an open environment where people are constantly sharing knowledge, generating ideas and are mutually committed to building a successful company.REQUEST TALENTMentorship programs benefit both sidesMentoring is not a one-way street. Individuals who become mentors stand to benefit as well. Serving as a mentor can help even the most accomplished long-term employees improve his or her management skills. In addition, new employees often bring fresh perspectives that can benefit a tenured employee.Who makes the best mentors?The key to an effective mentorship program is to choose me ntors who are temperamentally suited to the task.Mentors are not supervisors. They typically dont oversee the mentees day-to-day work performance.They dont necessarily need to be your most senior managers. They should, however, be naturally empathetic and enjoy the role of helping, listening and sharing information with others.Typically, a mentor who willingly steps up to be part of a mentorship program is better suited for the role than a worker who has to be persuaded about its value.