He stood quietly in my doorway for a few seconds before I noticed his presence. He knew, through some uncanny instinct, that I was struggling with a serious business dilemma. I met Phil early in my career at a major technology company. He was an easy- going and highly respected manager. People, from all levels of the organization, approached Phil for advice. Once gain, he offered me a few suggestions and encouraging words and I was reenergized.

At some point in your career, you may have had the good fortune to be helped by a mentor like Phil. Most likely, the mentor saw considerable potential in you and wanted to help you advance in the organization. This wise, experienced individual met with you regularly and taught you many survival skills for navigating the world of work. He or she made you feel that your meetings together were the most important thing during this or any other week. Your mentor listened without interrupting and time was never an issue. Based on this early career experience, you may have become a mentor to many people throughout your career.

In his book, Managers As Mentors, (Berrett-Koehler, 2002), Chip R. Bell defines a mentor as, "Someone who helps someone else learn something that would have otherwise been learned less well, more slowly, or not at all . . . Superior mentors know how adults learn. Operating out of their intuition or on what they have learned from books, classes or other mentors, the best mentors understand that they are first and foremost, facilitators and catalysts in a process of discovery and insight."

The leaders of the future in your organization can profit significantly when matched appropriately with a mentor. The specific benefits include:

• Learning from a respected expert

• Developing more self-confidence

• Taking judicious risks

• Receiving valuable feedback

• Making decisions which increase the attainment of professional objectives

Well trained mentors also have the potential to profit from this relationship, including:

• Opportunities to experience workplace issues from the viewpoint of the mentee

• Improvement of interpersonal skills by practicing the art of understanding others

• Learning new approaches to technical issues

• Experiencing the intrinsic satisfaction of helping less experienced individuals

Progressive organizations are learning that mentoring is extremely valuable in attracting, developing and retaining employees. They are formalizing the mentoring process with significant benefits for mentee and mentor. If you don't take a proactive, structured approach to leadership development for people at all levels, then where will your leaders come from?

Recommended Reading:
The Positive Power of Praising People by Jerry D. Twentier, Thomas Nelson, Inc, 1994 Available from Barnes & Noble at www.barnesnoble.com. This book is a good resource for those who want additional information on applying this months Coaching Tip on giving encouragement. Jerry Twentier offers advice on motivating others, praise versus criticism, improving morale and productivity.

Copyright 2006, Mark J. Campbell. All rights reserved.
Permission to reprint this article is granted, provided you let me know where it is being printed, the copyright is not removed, and the following text accompanies each article:

"Mark Campbell partners with organizations for leadership development. For a complimentary subscription to his newsletter, "Management Challenges," go to www.mjcampbellassoc.com."

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