Final Thoughts

Leaders who have not developed mentoring skills may function very well in such leadership activities as setting direction, aligning actions, and motivating people. But they will fail to fully transfer their knowledge and expertise back into the organization and to nurture the alignment between employee aspirations and organizational imperatives. Leaders who mentor effectively create depth and loyalty within the organization. They help employees and organizations realize their hopes for each other.

People often learn not by themselves but through others. As a mentor, you have an opportunity to help develop the leadership capacity of another person while you increase your own skills in such areas as managing relationships and providing feedback. If you take mentoring seriously and handle it effectively, your impact can be profound. Along with parents, teachers, classmates, coaches, and bosses, you will take your place in your mentee’s line of positive developmental influences.