Making the Most Impact as a Mentor

The following is adapted from the best-selling book Solving the People Problem and The Mentor Project podcast.

It’s probably pretty safe to say that everyone would love to have a lasting impact on the world. We can’t all be famous, or have our names known by everyone. For most of us, our lasting impact will be smaller. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter or that we can’t have a memorable and significant impact.

Taking the time and opportunity to mentor someone is a way to make sure your legacy continues. Of course you can’t guarantee that someone will take your advice or follow your directions (anyone who has kids will tell you that, or laugh at you if you try to tell them otherwise). But what can make you stand out as a mentor? What will make you the kind of mentor people hope to have?

The best thing that any mentor can do is to help people self-reflect and decide on the right path and steps for them. A good mentor does not say this is what you should do. A good mentor doesn't say this is the way I did it, so this should be the exact path that you take, a good mentor will say, “Here's what I've learned and here are some decisions that I made and here's why I made those decisions. Now, let's reflect on that for you and what's right for you.”

Emotional Intelligence and Personality Styles

We talk a lot about the relationship between emotional intelligence and personality styles. Part of being a mentor could, or maybe should, include assisting your mentees develop a better understanding of themselves and those around them. If you think back to the beginning of your career, what advice would you give yourself? What helped you deepen your self-awareness? What have you learned since then that you wish you knew when you started?

The interpersonal relationships that make up much of our work life have a major impact on everything we do at work. Many of the issues that mentees are working through are about the working relationships with others in their organization. Helping the person you are mentoring to develop their social and emotional skills will go a long way in helping them build the skills they will need to deal with the challenges they face in the future.

Self-Reflection is Key

Some of the best advice you can give to your mentees is to learn more about their own styles and preferences so that they’re prepared to adapt to different people and situations. Self-reflection is going to be the key for your mentees to continue growing to face future challenges as in their careers.

What advice do you have for other mentors? If you had a mentee in any field, what advice would you think is going to be the most impactful? 

If you have had the joy of being mentored, what did your mentor share with you that has been most helpful in your career? Share with us, we’d love to hear from you!

To find out where you currently stand regarding emotional intelligence, take the Solving The People Problem Survey.

Brett M. Cooper and Evans Kerrigan help professionals like you build work relationships that really work. Over the last twenty years, they’ve influenced thousands of people in government, non-profits, and corporate America to work together in more productive, more effective, and more human ways. Through Integris Performance Advisors—the firm they co-founded—Brett and Evans have helped clients increase employee engagement, improve efficiency, and generate hundreds of millions in financial benefit. Brett and Evans are frequent speakers on team dynamics, leadership, and operational excellence. To access more great content and resources, and to connect directly with Brett and Evans, visit SolvingThePeopleProblem.com.