25 Benefits of Mentoring

One of the most popular questions we get -- and one of the most popular searches in Google that leads people to our site -- has to do with mentoring benefits.

The benefits of mentoring are many, and they'll vary from program to program, participant to participant. But here's a short list of 25 benefits that you can share with upper management and prospective mentors and mentorees.

For the Mentor1. Allows the mentor to "give back" -- to both the organization and the mentoree
2. Reminds the mentor how to listen actively rather than passively
3. Encourages the mentor to share knowledge, which helps increase the mentor's sense of self-worth
4. Strengthens the mentor's interpersonal relationship skills
5. Teaches the mentor about other areas/departments within the organization
6. Helps re-energize the mentor's career
7. Leads to more personal satisfaction on the mentor's behalf

For the Mentoree8. Increases the mentoree's self-confidence
9. Helps the mentoree learn to take better control of his or her career
10. Teaches the mentoree how to speak up and be heard
11. Educates the mentoree on how to accept feedback in important areas, such as communications, technical abilities, change management, and leadership skills
12. Improves the mentoree's interpersonal relationship skills
13. Provides an important networking contact for the mentoree
14. Helps the mentoree better understand the organization's culture and unspoken rules, both of which can be critical for success

For the Mentoring Program Manager15. Strengthens the program manager's management abilities
16. Provides the opportunity for the program manager to practice important skill sets, such as mediating conflicts
17. Helps develop the program manager's leadership abilities
18. Teaches the program manager how to work effectively with different personalities and with people who are at different places in their careers

For the Organization19. Conveys to people within the organization that management is willing to invest in its members/employees
20. Shows the outside world that the organization values its members/employees
21. Fosters more loyal employees/members -- this can lead to reduction in turnover rates (which saves money on recruitment and training costs)
22. Creates a more positive work environment
23. Fosters leadership skills in mentors
24. Encourages the mentoree's growth from junior-level members/employee to future leader
25. Promotes a sense of cooperation and harmony within the organization

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