Those of us who have had great mentors are quick to attest to the many benefits. Being mentored made us feel more grounded and confident, it helped us gain clarity, focus, and direction. So I love connecting people with potential mentors, because I know how valuable it is to be mentored.
However, I have yet to have someone reach out to me to be a mentor. Now as someone who has made a career out of being a mentor, I want to share with you why I think mentoring others is good for you!
#1 Build Your Legacy: There is so much we learn in our lives and careers, passing your experience and expertise on to another is just one of the things you can do to build your own legacy.
#2 Sharing is Caring: Just as it is wise for organizations to maintain institutional wisdom, it is wise for you, as a professional, to share the knowledge and experience that can only be gained from walking the talk. Your first-hand experience is a rich source of learning for a potential mentee.
#3 Reinforcements: Sometimes we take for granted what we know and the expertise we have developed; having the opportunity to share what we know with others is often a good reminder of just how much we do know and how much we have to contribute to our profession.
#4 You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: Sometimes we can forget that there is still more to learn about ourselves and our work. When we open ourselves up to share and teach others, we open ourselves up to learn and understand more about ourselves and our work.
#5 Be of Service: There is a significant amount of fulfillment I experience when I am serve others. It is unlike any other experience. It is the “selfish” part of generosity; it just feels good to do something for someone else. So be generous with your time and experience, it’ll earn you some serious karma points.
So go out there and find a mentee! Don’t let age or experience get in your way. Everyone has something to share, and everyone has something to learn.
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