There are countless benefits available in becoming a mentor, many unforeseen and unexpected. Mentoring people can be challenging, fulfilling, gratifying, annoying, frustrating, impossible and fun – all in the same relationship. Reasons that you might consider mentoring others include:
To affirm or confirm the value of your experience by exploring and sharing that with someone else. To further clarify what you know, by distilling and simplifying your experience and learning. To help another person grow and succeed, and gain a sense of satisfaction from doing that. To be challenged in a positive way, by adapting your ideas or views to someone else’s situations, or developing greater empathy.
To have a sense of ‘giving something back’, perhaps by sharing experience gained over your career so far. To increase your focus on developing others, as a useful addition to your managing skills.