Why Mentoring Matters In The Workplace

(Image Credit: Life Works Well)

Do you think mentoring in the workplace matters? It does - in workplaces, in schools, in communities and in the world.

Mentoring has been around for years, in every sector and primarily focused on helping youth. In 2002, January was officially declared National Mentoring Month by the Harvard School of Public Health and MENTOR national (in the U.S.) to recognize the power of mentoring and its impact on the lives of young people. 

Organizations also started to realize the value of mentoring and today it’s more important than ever.

With the beginning of COVID-19, the shift to hybrid workplaces, and The Great Resignation, mentorship and professional development has become an even higher priority for employers.

Your employees are craving mentorship. Just like they are craving their coffee!

According to a survey conducted by Ten Thousand Coffees, more than 60% of employees desire to work for organizations that offer further opportunities for professional development, mentoring, and building relationships with colleagues. The survey also revealed that over 60% of respondents would consider leaving their current company for one that has mentorship opportunities. 

As employees continue to seek opportunities to develop their skills, how can organizations communicate their dedication to the growth and development of their employees?

Here are a few reasons why offering mentoring in the workplace matters and demonstrates your organization's investment in your employee’s professional development.

Improves Mental Health and Well-Being

A study by Oxford University and Cambridgeshire Constabulary concluded that mentoring can contribute to improved well-being and reduced anxiety for both mentors and mentees. The study also found that when junior and senior employees discovered they shared the same concerns, the more comfortable they felt discussing their anxieties and their strategies for coping. The Oxford study demonstrates that while mentoring provides mentees with the opportunity to share their worries with someone in a senior position, it also provides mentors with a sense of purpose and meaning in their work. 

Due to the transition to remote work, many employees have reported increased loneliness and isolation. Whether your employees are working remotely or in the office, mentorship can provide further opportunities to connect. Establishing a mentoring program offers your employees the ability to build relationships with their colleagues and interact more deeply than formal professional relationships.

When employees have someone they can confide in when they need support, the less isolation, stress, and anxiety they feel in their roles. These relationships create a positive impact on the mental health and well-being of your employees which in return leaves them satisfied in their role and your organization.

Increases Job Satisfaction

As mentorship becomes increasingly important to an employee's decision to join a company, it can also be critical to an employee’s decision to leave. The 2017 Tech Leavers Study revealed that 78% of employees experienced unfair treatment and nearly 40% described unfair treatment as their reason for leaving their company. For underrepresented employees, a lack of opportunities for growth is a common reason for leaving a company.

Offering mentorship initiatives in your organization can create an open and positive work environment that can make your employees happier in their roles. Research has demonstrated that 91% of employees who participated in mentorship were satisfied with their jobs, while 57% of those employees were very satisfied.

As mentors offer their insights and expertise in the field, they help increase confidence in their mentees who are more empowered in their roles and decisions. Mentorship also produces job satisfaction for mentors as it increases their self-confidence and offers a sense of accomplishment. 

Promotes Diversity and Inclusion 

Traditional mentorships mainly unite employees with similar identities and backgrounds. Pairing minorities with employees in management positions is crucial to creating an inclusive culture. Connecting your underrepresented employees with workers in leadership positions is a valuable way to help them develop necessary skills and overcome the obstacles preventing them from earning managerial positions. 

According to a study by Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, participating in mentorship initiatives increased the representation of minorities at the management level from 9 to 24%. Designing a mentorship program that prepares minorities to achieve their professional goals gives them an equitable chance to learn and advance in their careers.

Creating opportunities for mentoring in your organization is a valuable way to strengthen your work culture and foster a positive work environment for your employees. Developing the right mentor initiatives will produce employees that are happy, engaged, and included, which will not only benefit your organization but also the community you serve.

Want to learn more about mentoring? Join us on Thursday, January 27 at 12:00 p.m. for our first Life Works Well Mentor Circle of the year, Create a Mentor Culture. Click here to register!

If you’re thinking of starting a mentorship program, January is the best time to promote your initiatives. Life Works Well offers programs and services that bring the heart and soul back into people. If you want to get started on developing the right mentorship program for your organization, click here.