Receiving orientation to a new organization or assignment, acquiring knowledge and learning new skills, and building workplace -connectedness- are all valuable benefits of a strong mentoring relationship. As many as 70% of employees credit one or more mentoring relationships as being instrumental in their career success and job satisfaction. The mentoring relationship can be formal or informal, short term, or can extend over the length of a career. In many cases, a mentor only learns of his or her valuable contribution as a career coach upon hearing retirement banquet tributes.
Benefits of a mentoring relationship for the organization, mentee and mentor include increased productivity, strengthened relationships, shared wisdom, knowledge and organizational history, and the personal satisfaction of perpetuating a legacy of service.
The best mentors have a record of success built on a foundation of academic preparation, practical experience and keen intuition. They are admired and well regarded within the organization for their accomplishments, integrity, positive attitude, qualifications, communication and interpersonal skills, patience and accessibility. Mentors are often natural coaches who enjoy sharing not only their knowledge, but the motives and analytical thought processes that drive many of their decisions and actions.