Sharing the Gift of Mentorship In Times of Crisis
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“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. ”
Heading into an unpredictable future, having access to mentorship can mean the difference between staying or leaving the workforce for some. From sharing the challenges of working in a virtual environment to discussing feelings of anxiety and burnout while balancing motherhood and team management, mentors play a crucial role in providing advice, putting things into perspective, and being a strong support system.
There are many opportunities, formal and informal, to serve as a mentor to others. In recognition of National Mentorship Month, here are a few ways to share your experience and knowledge with your community:
If you are a leader/manager of a team, be intentional about creating psychological safety for your team to share their struggles with you. Practice active listening and ask open ended questions to learn how to best support your team. Employees perform better when they know their managers are invested in them, and this can help strengthen your relationship in the long run.
Volunteer for a mentorship program. If your company has one, learn how you can participate. If not, independent platforms like WEST or Hackbright Academy offer mentoring programs that connect mentors and mentees across tech companies.
Offer to help via social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Elpha. Throughout the pandemic, we’ve seen many leaders and individuals volunteer their time by reviewing resumes, offering interview coaching, and other career guidance without the cape of being a mentor.
Share your knowledge or best practices through blogging, podcasting, or get creative in how you share your influence. The impact you make may not be directly visible, but you may make someone’s day/situation as they take a tip or two from what you share.
While you may not feel like you have all the answers, it’s never too early to start mentoring and pay it forward.
“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you. ”
