When you were deciding on your career, what influenced you the most? Some people would say the money, others would say the benefits, but how many of you could say it was not a what, but a who? Was there a single person who influenced your decision to go into your current career? Maybe you were lucky enough to have multiple people influence you, but who really showed you the rights from wrongs? Who really took you under their wing? Many people would call this person a mentor.
When you hear the word mentor, I’m sure it can bring up mixed ideas, but what does it really mean to mentor someone? According to Career Stone, “A mentor is an individual—usually older, but always more experienced–who helps and guides another individual’s development. This guidance is done without the expectation of personal or monetary gain on the mentor’s part.” In other words, a mentor is someone who lends a helping hand to someone who is just starting out. They really take pride in helping others and especially helping them reach their full potential. “A mentor can provide an employee with tips on career growth and introduce the employee to other professionals,” according to the Houston Chronicle. This gives the employee a sense of pride about their work. In return, the employee will turn to their mentor for advice, have a greater job satisfaction, and make less mistakes which cut losses for the company as a whole. By now I’m sure you are thinking, “This mentoring thing sounds pretty good, but what makes a good mentor?” Well don’t stop reading now, I have an answer for that too! According to the CPWR, the top 10 characteristics of a good mentor in the construction and light-industrial trades include the characteristics listed below.
- Someone who is a good listener.
- Someone willing to share negative information.
- Someone who is comfortable around superiors.
- Someone who allows an apprentice to make a mistake.
- Someone willing to give negative feedback.
- Someone willing to share knowledge.
- Someone who possesses trade knowledge.
- Someone who has a vision.
- Someone who is a role model.
- Someone who is objective.
You could be that someone! Mentoring can be one of the most rewarding things you can do in the workplace. It inspires your workers to be their very best while enabling you to be that big change in their life at the same time! Every one of us remember the people that made an impact on our lives. It’s never too late to return the favor.
So whose life are you going to change by mentoring them today?
About the Author: Morgan Jones is a sophomore accounting student at Western Governors University and plans to graduate in January of 2016. Following her education she wants to pursue a Master’s program in hopes of getting her CPA. She is gaining insight into the business world while learning the ropes of what it takes to be a part of a growing company with Results Staffing.