Mentoring can be an invaluable professional and personal resource for healthcare leaders at every age and career stage. To that end, ACHE actively supports formal and informal mentoring activities in many ways. But frequently the benefits of mentoring are focused on the mentees. Based on feedback from healthcare leaders who have received mentoring, some of the greatest takeaways for mentees include improved self-awareness, introspective review of capabilities, unique opportunities to learn, personal development, identification of strengths and weakness and much more. But what do the mentors get out of these relationships?
While giving back to the profession by developing the next generation of leaders is a wonderful reason to take on a mentee, mentoring isn’t exclusively an altruistic pursuit. In fact, mentors can often get just as much out of these professional arrangements as the mentees.
Here are five benefits of being a mentor:
Learn more about your profession.
Our profession continues to morph over time and well-established healthcare practices that were once considered “spot on” may now be less effective. What better way to become more knowledgeable than by hearing alternative methods from those you mentor? Many times, mentees will share their insights, saying, “That is not what we are currently doing and, after much trial and error, we have developed a new method that is highly effective.” If you are open to new approaches and perspectives—as any leader should be—there is much to learn simply by listening to others.
Demonstrate your leadership skills.
Mentoring is a great volunteer activity to list on your resume or LinkedIn page to demonstrate your commitment to leadership. But more than that, mentoring allows leaders to “walk the walk” and show their mentees what leadership and executive decision-making looks like in action. Mentees will frequently ask mentors for advice when tackling new challenges and effective mentors can share experiences that were successful, as well as ones that might have gone better, to help guide mentees. If a mentee is approaching a problem in a way that you know from experience is ineffective, the mentor can ask them to rethink the answer. After all, you are the expert in the room. Furthermore, by continuously reflecting on personal experiences to help provide better guidance, mentors can reinforce previously learned leadership skills.
Become exposed to different thoughts and opinions.
Hearing ideas that may be fundamentally different from yours can certainly be challenging for some mentors; but hearing differing or opposing thoughts is an opportunity for you to engage in a spirited debate. After reflection, you may hold onto your beliefs, or you may change your stance and have an opportunity to grow as you consider alternative ideas. Lively discussions allow you to glean new information and opinions from others, which will make you better at your job.
Enhance your professional network.
We often hear the saying that it is who you know, not what you know, that helps you meet your goals. While building a network of trusted peers is advice typically given to mentees, mentors benefit from doing the same thing. One of the benefits of mentoring is the opportunity to rekindle old relationships and develop new ones that could lead to unique opportunities and insights. For example, if a mentee asks a question about an area in which you are less familiar or they want to build a skill you don’t possess, reaching out to a fellow leader or mentor who can help your mentee affords you the opportunity to learn from a peer and strengthen your own professional network. Having been involved with ACHE’s mentoring initiatives, both on a national and chapter basis, I know how rewarding it is to meet other mentors at kick-off sessions and learn from other mentors’ experiences at the conclusion of the program.
Take delight in helping others.
Helping others can, by its very nature, bring personal satisfaction. Learning that a mentee is doing well and advancing in their career is highly rewarding. Hearing about a mentee’s hardships or failures can help mentors explore alternative solutions and create more effective processes. Even if the advice a mentor offers is not profound in nature, sometimes little tweaks and suggestions can make a world of difference for a mentee and earn the mentor praise and credit for resolving what had previously been an insurmountable issue. As a bonus, effective mentors are held in high regards as a result of helping others succeed. Think back to a teacher, boss or anyone you have listened to who you feel provided exceptional guidance; mentors can take pride in knowing they have positively influenced others and helped develop future leaders and policy makers the way their mentors influenced them.
Should you consider being a mentor?
Ask yourself, “Do I have what it takes to be a mentor?” Are you ready to make new friends, help others out, and listen carefully and offer appropriate advice? Do you want to enhance your chances of moving forward and potentially gain insights you might not otherwise gain? If so, mentoring could be a perfect opportunity for you and the rewards can be immeasurable.
Editor’s Note: Learn more about ACHE’s Leadership Mentoring Network and consider becoming a mentor today.
David A. Helfer, FACHE(R), is the president of career coaching firm Illumination From Within LLC, based in Nichols, S.C., and a professionally trained and credentialed coach. He is also a current ACHE Executive Coach; and a frequent mentor in ACHE’s Leadership Mentoring Network (davidhelfer@illuminationfromwithin.com).