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Mentoring...The Willingness to Share a Passion
Lavanya Gupta, Instructional Designer, The Business Workshop

When I got my first job, I was very excited because I was going to work with one of the better known knowledge management consultants/trainers in the industry. I was looking forward to finding a mentor in him, who would help me set the ball rolling for my career as a trainer. My initial enthusiasm was met by disappointment when I realized that consultants spend huge amounts of time traveling and rarely get the kind of time it takes to mentor someone.

I did however get a chance to spend time with the VP of another department. We started out working together on various projects and in time developed a great working relationship. I watched him in action, discussed my work with him, exchanged ideas, sought him out when I was in doubt and also found him to be a wonderful friend.

I never identified him as a mentor at the time, but later realized what a great contribution he had made to my professional and personal growth. What made him a great mentor was that he would never show me how to do something, but would instead challenge me every time I thought I could do no better. He would provide new perspectives instead of solutions. And best of all, he would always make time to listen.

Every time I would meet with him, I would come away feeling slightly unsure of what exactly had been discussed, but I would always be full of new ideas for my project and have a sense of ownership for the work I was doing.

A mentor does not always have to be an immediate superior. Mentoring has a lot to do with the dynamics of the working relationship that two co-workers establish with each other. By being a mentor, a person can use their leadership, interpersonal and communication skills together with their experience to provide a unique environment for growth. The mentor in turn benefits from the fresh perspectives and boundless energy of the mentee. The mentoring process usually enables a mentee to take charge in areas where there might have been some hesitation. It bridges the gap between potential and actual success at work.

Not everyone is lucky enough to find a mentor in their boss. However the willingness to learn often leads one to people who are passionate about their work and can make wonderful mentors.

Graphic Done By Himani