Five Reasons Everyone Needs A Mentor
No matter what industry or role you’re in, or how long you’ve been
there, a good mentor will guide you through pivotal career decisions,
act as a neutral sounding board for ideas, and provide support during
hard times. Though young people often seek out mentors in the early
stages of their careers, more mid-level and seasoned professionals forgo
mentorship. Here are five reasons everyone needs a mentor, no matter
what stage of their career they’re at.
You’ll always have a go-to person to call
When you're making a tough decision, it can be difficult to know whose advice to ask. While family members or colleagues can provide valuable insights, having your one "go to" person in times of crisis can be valuable. It's comforting to know that when things get tough, you always know who to call.
Mentors provide an outside perspective
A mentor can also provide an outside perspective. When a problem hits close to home or may affect your colleagues or employees it can be difficult to find a neutral third party to listen and provide advice. A mentor won't have a stake in the issue you're trying to address and will be able to provide unbiased advice.
Mentors have the benefit of experience
Though your mentor may not have direct experience in your industry (though that's very helpful), a good mentor will have seen it all and can help you navigate through the type of tough life decisions everyone struggles with. Mentors have ideally encountered some of these challenges themselves and worked through them successfully.
A mentor will know you over time
As people increasingly switch jobs and even careers more frequently over time, having a mentor who has seen you in many roles can be enormously valuable. They can help put your hard decisions in context of your larger life and will provide the type of guidance one can only dispense by knowing someone over many years.
Mentors can bring new opportunities your way
Having someone who you respect and admire in an outside organization with different contacts can often lead to opportunities you may have not been aware of otherwise. Whether it's a new career or partnership opportunity, or a board position or speaking engagement, a mentor will help grow your network and propel your career forward.
You’ll always have a go-to person to call
When you're making a tough decision, it can be difficult to know whose advice to ask. While family members or colleagues can provide valuable insights, having your one "go to" person in times of crisis can be valuable. It's comforting to know that when things get tough, you always know who to call.
Mentors provide an outside perspective
A mentor can also provide an outside perspective. When a problem hits close to home or may affect your colleagues or employees it can be difficult to find a neutral third party to listen and provide advice. A mentor won't have a stake in the issue you're trying to address and will be able to provide unbiased advice.
Mentors have the benefit of experience
Though your mentor may not have direct experience in your industry (though that's very helpful), a good mentor will have seen it all and can help you navigate through the type of tough life decisions everyone struggles with. Mentors have ideally encountered some of these challenges themselves and worked through them successfully.
A mentor will know you over time
As people increasingly switch jobs and even careers more frequently over time, having a mentor who has seen you in many roles can be enormously valuable. They can help put your hard decisions in context of your larger life and will provide the type of guidance one can only dispense by knowing someone over many years.
Mentors can bring new opportunities your way
Having someone who you respect and admire in an outside organization with different contacts can often lead to opportunities you may have not been aware of otherwise. Whether it's a new career or partnership opportunity, or a board position or speaking engagement, a mentor will help grow your network and propel your career forward.
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