Mentoring is the passing of knowledge from a wiser and more experienced person to another person who can benefit from that knowledge. It is not a new management technique; it is a way of passing information, values and behaviours of others.
A mentor should be a challenger, counsellor, teacher, encourager and trusted advisor.
Many successful people in all walks of life have benefited from a mentor. The term “mentor” comes from Greek mythology.
Informal mentoring relationships and structured mentoring programs have significantly broadened in business in the last ten years. Many large companies now conduct both internal and external programs for fast track executives.
Mentoring for CEOs and Business Owners has developed, along with a greater awareness of the value and availability of experienced mentors. There are a number of commercial businesses providing these services on a “one on one" basis. A small number of organisations like the CEO Institute provide a meeting forum for groups of CEOs and Business Owners. Aided by a facilitator the members mentor and counsel each other. This allows them to obtain a variety of views and to benefit from each others business experience.
Mentoring for CEOs can provide an opportunity to obtain unbiased opinions and views that are often not available within their organizations. It can provide a creative and strategic forum to concentrate on the non day-to-day issues and concentrate on the “big picture”.
The relationship/rapport between the mentor and the mentoree must be right to obtain optimum benefits. Those seeking a mentor should not give up if they find a situation not working as they would like and should search for a more suitable relationship.
