Mentoring: The Art of Developing People
What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is a process in which a more skilled or more experienced person, serving as a role model, teaches, sponsors, encourages, counsels and befriends a less skilled or less experienced person for the purpose of promoting the latter’s professional and / or personal development. Mentoring functions are carried out within the context of an ongoing, supportive relationship between the mentor and mentee.
Why should a person be a Mentor?
I am sure you will agree that giving is a great source of peace and inner happiness. This is recognized and accepted by persons from every walk of life and every kind of social environment.
Usually giving is associated with charity or giving away money. While this is laudable and praiseworthy, when we give money we give something that anyone can give. Thus giving money, after sometime, may become mechanical. Some people adopting the attitude of a Karma Yogi donate their valuable time and energy in physically serving the afflicted, especially during times of calamity and distress. This too is a great act of altruism. But it can provide only temporary relief to the affected person.
Great indeed are they who possess knowledge and experience in a field and who are willing and able to share this knowledge and wisdom with another to nurture and help that person to grow in that field. The sharing of their wisdom acts as a seed or acorn that grows into the mighty oak tree.
These are the people who act as beacon lights in a storm for the confused youngsters and novices by sharing their wisdom and experience. They are called Mentors and this process of nurturing is called Mentoring.
You have probably been mentored already!
Many people can remember being helped by someone who took an interest in their welfare, shared their experience and knowledge with them, and enabled them to develop.
Often they remember these relationships as playing a crucial part in their personal and professional development.
Pause for a moment to reflect.
Who was your role model? Who was your Mentor? What was his contribution to your growth? What feelings do you have about him? Would you like to play a similar role in the life of another person?
When this mentoring relationship comes to an end, you will want to move on. There will be other people who come along in your life who will become your mentees.
What are you waiting for? Start Mentoring!
Become a Mentor for a budding youngster and help him / her realize their fullest potential.
