Having A Mentor: How Important Is It?
Some people may frequently ask, “Do I really need a mentor to succeed?” The answer to this question is only known by ourselves who asked it. Oprah Winfrey, An American talk show host, defines mentor as someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. A good mentor inspires you, stretches you, connects you, develops your IQ, EQ and AQ, opens your mind and most importantly does not judge you. They provide a safe space to learn, experiment and ask questions, no matter how stupid the question may sound.
In practice, based on a 2019 surveyed conducted by Olivet Nazarene University towards 3,000 people, they found that 76% of people think mentors are important, although not everyone who says that mentors are important, have them.
What are the benefits of having a mentor?
The Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) commissioned a literature review and study into Mentoring: progressing women’s careers in higher education (2012) and found that mentoring has a number of benefits for both mentees and mentors.
1. Career advancement, including a higher rate of promotion
2. Increased opportunities and a likelihood of staying at the institution
3. Higher salaries
4. Increased productivity and better time management
5. Greater success in achieving external research grants
6. Personal and professional development, including increased job-related wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence, and better work-life balance
7. Preparation for the future and heightened career aspirations
8. Developed networking skills
How do you know whether you need a mentor?
Christine Comaford, a contributor who wrote for Forbes magazine, gives some questions that could be asked to find out whether you really need a mentor.
1. Would you like to have a trusted and more experienced person to bounce ideas off, to discuss challenges with?
2. Are you entering a new industry and would like access to an expert in this new field?
3. Are you in a new role and would like access to a seasoned executive that has held the same or similar role for many years?
4. Are you a CEO or at the top of your field and feel isolated because you do not have peers to share problems or brainstorm with?
5. Are you considering launching a new venture and are seeking expertise you do not yet have?
If you answered “yes!” to any of the above questions, you are most likely need a mentor and you are ripe for mentorship.
-Northern Ingo-
