Today on the Paul Finebaum show, a caller suggested to Paul that he interview a student reporter once a week from each school, because - and here's the good part! - they have a different point of view. Paul agreed it was a great suggestion. He replied that lately he tries to spend time with students each weekend, while he's on campus working. He mentioned that he started much the same as these student reporters. I thought it was pretty cool that Paul seemed ready to actually follow up on this caller's suggestion, recognizing: (1) that different points of view are important, (2) young people have a lot to offer, (3) it's good to remember how your career started, and (4) when you can, give back. None of this is ground breaking, and none of it should be overlooked.
This short exchange while I listened during my commute home lined up nicely with how I spent a good chunk of my afternoon - in my first meeting with my mentee. My mentee is not new to the workforce. In fact, she's been in the business for a long time - longer than me. It proves that mentoring does not need to be the very traditional combination of "seasoned professional bestows words of wisdom to twentysomething during lunch." Instead, we talked as professionals, working up a business plan for how she can achieve her goals. I was also honest with her and confessed outright that I need this mentoring gig just as much as she does. I need to demonstrate that I do have business acumen, that I can execute ideas in the areas of sales and marketing, and that I can develop talent in measurable ways.
Following Paul's lead, if you are involved in a mentorship program, keep these points in mind:
(1) Don't limit pairing mentors and mentees to the expected. Think outside of the box. Pair people with different points of view, experiences, skills, and levels of expertise. It does not always need to be "senior teaches junior to follow in their footsteps."
(2) If you are a mentor, be the mentor you wish you had. Give actual, practical advice. Talk turkey about workplace struggles, and how you solved them. Or maybe you didn't? Your mentee may have some ideas for you.
(3) If you are the mentee, don't forget you have advice and experience to offer too. Use your time with your mentor to solve real business problems. Don't be afraid to turn the conversation the other way. You can only demonstrate that this mentoring thing is working if your mentor also sees that you have valuable skills to add.
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