by J. Henry Stewart

Created on: December 05, 2008   Last Updated: September 15, 2009

Kenneth looked at his watch. He was just going to make the ten o'clock meeting with his mentor, Jim. These meetings were really valuable, and Kenneth was glad that he had signed up for the company mentoring program a year earlier.

To have a mentor may be fashionable, but it is a very useful fashion. From ancient times those who have wanted to know sought out the master of a particular profession under whom to learn. Less formally, many business men and women have the opportunity to participate in a time-tested program to help them achieve their potential.

Who Benefits from Mentoring

It was not only Kenneth who benefited from the twice a month meetings that he and Jim shared. Jim the mentor also enjoyed the hour-long conversations. He liked that Kenneth showed him respect through his active listening skills, and he also valued the perspective on the company affairs that Kenneth would tell him.

The company benefited from the mentoring program as well. Kenneth was quickly becoming more productive, and learning how to most effectively channel his copious creative energy into knew ideas for marketing efforts. Jim's mature advice was put to good use.

Of course, Kenneth benefited greatly from the mentoring program. He had a lot of energy and ambition, but he was rough around the edges regarding political savvy. Jim and he had discussed the history and values of the firm at length, and Kenneth was starting to understand the most effective ways of convincing people of his way of thinking.

Plenty of Objectivity

Kenneth could also talk to his immediate boss, yet it was a big advantage to talk to Jim, who was several levels higher in the company and who worked in a different department. Jim was completely objective in his advice to Kenneth.

To complement this, Kenneth listened earnestly to the words out of Jim's mouth. They quickly understood each other, and valued the candor and respect each one showed to the other. Kenneth was happy to have a mentor who could be completely objective in his viewpoint.

Years of Wisdom and Expertise

Jim had worked for the company for twenty years, and had thirty years of industry experience. Furthermore, he had earned graduate degrees in his field and was widely considered an expert. This expertise shown through not necessarily in the amount he talked, but by the choice of his words.

A mentor such as Jim can give a younger person an advantage when navigating the political atmosphere of most companies. Corporate politics is a fact, and the young person who learns how to deftly manage the various relationships and interests sets herself up for success.

Compassion and Vision

Finally, Jim had compassion for Kenneth, and he learned the personal and professional goals to which Kenneth aspired. This was more than a simple business relationship, for Jim and Kenneth got to know each other as friends. They were indeed very unequal in positions and different in experience levels, yet the mentoring program help spark a friendship that lasted a lifetime.

Jim gave advice based on his thorough knowledge of Kenneth. It took a long time, and much listening, for Jim to be able to give specific thoughts. Immediately in their relationship, Jim told Kenneth some basics of the company values and political situation. Once a trust was built however, Kenneth received advice and wisdom worth more than gold.

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