Celebrate mentoring this month
National Mentoring Day, marked annually on October 27 since 2014, shines a spotlight on the crucial role mentoring plays in nurturing career development across diverse populations. Whether you're a student, a recent graduate, or a seasoned professional in the C-suite, a mentor can provide invaluable guidance. This global event, initiated in the U.K. in 2014 and now celebrated worldwide, promotes mentoring initiatives and encourages individuals to either mentor or be mentored.
According to a 2024 report by the firm Kahoot!, there's an increasing need for skill development to prevent career stagnation as technology evolves and accelerates changes to the workplace. Mentors are instrumental in helping professionals enhance their skills and adapt to changes like those brought on by AI.
Formal mentoring programs require a commitment from both parties, with characteristics such as genuine interest, clear communication, and mutual goals being essential. A recent survey by Enhancv highlights that younger generations—Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X—place significant trust in their supervisors for career advice, partly due to HR's emphasis on diversity, equity, and work-life balance.
For organizations, mentoring is beneficial at all levels, enhancing leadership skills, enhancing employer brands, promoting loyalty, and circulating expertise internally. Resources on effective mentoring and differences from coaching are abundant, offering insights into establishing impactful mentorships. Becoming a mentor is encouraged as a way to share expertise and foster professional development within any organization.
If your organization has a fomal mentoring program in place, highlight this in your recruiting efforts and in candidate interviews. Every single differentiator you can spotlight to prospective hires can make a difference in the highly competitive labor market we are experiencing.
Do you need assistance setting up a formal mentoring program for your organization? Give us a call, we’d love to help!