Commitment + Clinical Leadership = Better Outcomes

Many people know that when it comes to learning a field or skill, mentors can play a pivotal role. Mentors are individuals who can help guide their mentees, as well as provide them with the learning tools they need to be successful.

Whether you’re looking to advance in a skill or grow in your career, finding a mentor can be a great way to help you learn. Here are some reasons mentorship is important, as well as some of the best qualities a mentor can have.

What is a Mentor?

A mentor is a person who advises and teaches someone who is less experienced. Mentors are people who are good examples because they have mastered the skills required for a certain talent or profession.

An example of a mentor can be a teacher who advises a student in their subject. Another example could be a senior nurse passing down knowledge to someone who is looking to take a test to become a certified nursing assistant.

The best mentors:

• Are accomplished individuals in their talent/skill
• Are a senior/leader in their company or field
• Have connections and a strong network
• Possess a good reputation
• Have a positive attitude about their field
• Can teach you something new when you talk to them

Other Forms of Mentorship

Mentors can also be peers, which is called a peer mentor. Peer mentors are people who are at the same point of learning, and they can give you insight into how they’ve mastered their skill so far.

Reverse mentoring is when someone who is more junior mentors someone who is a senior in their skill or field. The goal of reverse mentoring is to encourage knowledge sharing between generations. A younger individual may be able to share a new perspective on a subject that a more experienced person might not have thought of before.

6 Reasons Why Mentorship is Important

Mentors can help you set goals

If you’re looking to advance in a skill or field, chances are, you have an idea of a few topics you’d like to master. A mentor can help you build a plan on what you’re hoping to accomplish, as well as give you realistic expectations as to how fast you can plan to reach your goals.

Mentors can use the SMART process to help their mentees find their goals. SMART stands for:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-sensitive

SMART goals can help keep you focused when it comes to learning and obtaining the knowledge you need to become a master. A mentor can guide you and let you know how long it took them to learn certain topics, as well as help you find the best learning style.

Mentors can pass down knowledge

A mentor knows the in and outs of what you’re trying to learn. This makes them a great person to learn from, and you should feel excited when they share their knowledge about the field.

You can learn from a mentor by asking them to schedule time to go over topics that they’ve mastered. A mentor will be able to give you a tutorial and pass down what they know.

Mentors can give you opportunities

A mentor is someone who will get to know your passion the more they work with you. That means when it comes to connections, a mentor may be willing to introduce you to others who can open up new opportunities.

A mentor may be able to help you meet someone who can advance your learning or give you the chance to grow in your career. Mentors can also be great references in the future if you decide to further pursue whatever topic you’re learning about through a new job or continuing education program.

Mentors can help teach problem-solving

When it comes to learning, you may get stumped at one point or another. Mentors can be invaluable resources to help you take a step back and look at a problem differently.

A mentor may share similar situations they’ve been in and how they’ve grown since then. A mentor can also give you a tutorial on how to do something if you need to be shown the steps.

Mentors can keep you accountable

When a goal isn’t reached, that is because there is often no accountability for getting there. A mentor is someone who can check in with you and hold you accountable for the goals you’ve set for yourself.

One way you can work with a mentor to maintain accountability is to set up weekly or monthly meetings. You can tell your mentor what you’ve learned and what you’re hoping to achieve during the next timeframe. This can hold you accountable while giving your mentor time to help you work through the skills you’re trying to learn.

Mentors can help you improve

Because your mentor will have vast knowledge in their chosen field or talent, they will have the ability to provide you with feedback. They can give you details on where you are thriving, as well as where you may be falling short in your learning.

Consistent feedback can be a valuable tool to help you grow and push yourself to do better than before. A good mentor will be able to motivate you with feedback, as well as give you ways to challenge yourself before they critique you once again.

Why Mentorship is important for Mentors

There are some benefits mentors can get from helping people who are junior to them. Some of the benefits include:

• Giving back to others. Becoming a mentor can be one way to give back to the next generation. There was a time when the mentor themselves needed help learning their field, and being a role model can be one way to give back to those who are now in the learning stages.
• Discovering new talent. People who have an interest in a field or skill may have a talent for it. They may need someone to help spark their interest in the subject and find their calling. A mentor can discover people who have a natural skill in their field, and they can help their mentee realize their potential.
• Improving leadership and communication skills. Mentorship is about being a leader and clearly communicating to someone the feedback and knowledge that they need to grow. A leader can listen to their mentee and share what they need to improve upon. Mentors also have the ability to have difficult conversations when needed.
• Becoming an advisor. A mentor is someone who can become a trusted advisor because of their vast knowledge of their field. Mentors can help cultivate someone’s personal development and guide them in the right direction to advance their skills.
• Learning a new perspective. Mentors often work with people who are younger than them. This provides the opportunity for a mentor to learn a new perspective that may be different from when they were learning their field.
• Motivating someone to try something new. Some mentees may need a push for someone to motivate them to try something new. A mentor can encourage someone to try different topics and skills to advance their current skillset. It can feel accomplishing to help someone discover the same passion for a topic.

Qualities of a Good Mentor

Some of the qualities a good mentor possess include:

• Honesty
• Empathy
• Communication
• Encouraging
• Motivating
• Listening
• Positive attitude
• Trustworthy
• Reliable

Seeking Out a Mentor Today

Now that you know the importance of mentorship, you can start your search for a mentor. Whether it’s a family member, friend, or someone you look up to, you can ask them for guidance in the skills you want to learn.

Saber Healthcare is an organization that provides skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, and assisted living services across the communities that we serve. To learn more about Saber Healthcare, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.