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Mentoring - Need Of The Hour
Roopashree Shanker, Instructional Designer, The Business Workshop

Graphic done by Sophiya

Mentoring is the process by which individuals share their experience, knowledge, and skills with a protege to promote their personal and professional growth. It's a tool for organisations to bring out the best in their people by enhancing their performance and productivity. However, it is surprising to note that very few organisations practice it, and fewer still have actually benefited from it. Why does this happen? And what are its implications to an organisation? Take the

example of a former colleague of mine; fresh out of a business school and high on enthusiasm and energy, she was ready to prove herself to the world. She had been through an induction program, read numerous manuals and been briefed by all department heads. In short, she was high on knowledge, skills and attitude.

So she should have excelled, right? Wrong! Though she had all the knowledge she required to perform, there was no one who was there to guide her and help her channelise it in the right direction.

What happened because of this? A lot of time was wasted in trying to understand what to do and how to do it. The doubts kept accumulating. Obstacles frequently popped up but she wasn't clear about whom to approach for help. As a result she occasionally got delayed in delivering on commitments. This upset her because she didn't want to create an impression of incompetency. Needless to say, it had a negative impact on her motivation level.

Things probably would not have been the same if she had a mentor to guide her. So, what are the advantages a mentor has to offer in an organisational set up?

• Guidance: Though it takes time to pick up the knowledge and skills to handle a job well, a mentor can definitely help shorten the learning cycle. And, he's always there to clarify doubts.
• Unbiased Advice: Many a times employees don't feel comfortable turning to peers or superiors for advice or suggestions, either because of competitiveness or the prevalent work environment. A mentor can be counted upon to take a neutral stand keeping his proteges interest in mind.
• Feedback: An unbiased critical assessment of one's work is always welcome. Rather than having it come from a supervisor - a mentor, who one perceive as a non-threatening entity, would be much better.
• Provide Objectivity: A mentor is needed most when disillusionment sets in. Most often this is a temporary state of mind related to a particular incident. In such instances, a mentor can use his understanding and experience to adjust an employees expectations and give the right perspective.
• Support & Stability: Today's workplace is highly dynamic where roles get redefined every few weeks. In so much flux some form of stability is required, and this is provided by a mentor, who brings his varied experience and wisdom to the table.
• Informal Induction: Having a mentor induct you in the organisation is special because he brings a personal touch to the whole process. Not only would he make you feel comfortable in your new surroundings, he would also help you explore it and understand the people and culture better.

By now you must be wondering what a mentor is really supposed to do! Well, in a nutshell, be your friend, philosopher and guide. However, he is not going to do your job for you. He will give you enough space for creativity and experimentation, rather than create an environment of total dependence.

Many of you will probably relate, what I have shared in this article, to the "teething problems" you might have had when you assumed a new position and looked for a guiding hand. However, a mentor is essential for employees at all levels in an organisation. No matter at which level we operate, the issues we encounter remain the same, though the context and nature may vary.

Mentoring, if taken up in the right spirit, has immense benefits for an organisation. So why not take advantage of this and initiate mentoring programs that not only enhance employee productivity but also, by an extension thereof, their satisfaction.