As a successful leader it’s likely you’ve had mentors in your life who have helped you to learn the skills for success. You no doubt look at those people with gratitude for all they’ve taught you. Hopefully, you have also started to mentor others to help grow business leaders for the future. It’s important to remember how many benefits come from mentoring, for both parties involved.
As a mentor, you gain great satisfaction from helping see another business person grow into their potential as a leader. As you see them develop bigger and better skills, it may also encourage you to learn more and have additional personal growth. After all, you have to continue to have something to give! In fact, you may learn as much from the person you are mentoring as they learn from you. Younger business people have had different experiences than you had when you were starting out. You may find that they offer a great deal to you in terms of ideas and understanding of new technology and trends.
As a mentee, you stand to gain a great deal of education from your mentor. They can help you to avoid pitfalls by learning from their past experiences. They can help to encourage you when it seems that you’ll never reach your goals. It’s likely they’ve had the same feeling, yet overcome the same kinds of obstacles to succeed.
Watching your mentor can also inspire you to mentor others. Though you may not be as seasoned as your mentor, you are still far more seasoned than some other business people. You may feel the need to begin working with young employees at your business, or with others in the community to share the lessons you’ve already learned, even as you continue to learn, as well.
The cycle of mentoring and learning is never ending. We can always give something to another person, even though we may have much to learn, as well. There is nothing more gratifying than pouring yourself into someone else, no matter your station. And, there is nothing more beneficial than learning the important lessons of leadership from those who have been leaders for a longer period of time.