Engagement Strings: Younger Employees Want Mentorship

According to common stereotype, millennials are just not as loyal or focused as previous generations. And indeed, job longevity stats show that new employees tend to stay with a job for only a year and a half.

But that’s not necessarily because they don’t want to stay. More often, it’s because they’re not challenged, they see no room for growth and development, or they’re not being mentored.

And they want to be! According to our research, 100% of respondents agreed with the statement “It’s important to my development as a leader to find and work with a good mentor.” Meanwhile, only 35% responded affirmatively to the statement “I’m currently working with a mentor.”

That’s a big problem.

The greatest challenge in mentoring is understanding that there are things you can do, things you can’t do and things you shouldn’t do. Here’s a short list to get you started:

I can listen. You’re not lecturing—you’re mentoring, and the first step is understanding the needs, goals and desires of your mentee. You can only learn by listening.

I can share stories. Share your experiences in hopes that your mentee will benefit from your successes and mistakes.

I can encourage. This includes recognizing accomplishments and offering praise for a job well done. When times are tough, you can usually say, “I know, I’ve been there too!”

I can correct—but only when I see a problem. Be careful here. Sometimes it’s best to let the mentee make a mistake. It takes some experience to know when correction is appropriate.

I can’t do your work for you. Don’t bail your mentee out of trouble or make their job easier. That does nothing but rob them of precious experience. Too much interference cripples a mentee and deprives them of the opportunity to learn and grow.

I can point you to resources that have been helpful to me. This includes introducing them to other people who can take them even further.

Remember: In a mentoring relationship, you work for your mentee. You’re here to serve them—not the other way around. It’s not about your personal gratification. It’s about doing your best to help another person reach their full potential.

Jim Bouchard is a speaker, media personality and author of “The Sensei Leader” and “Think Like a Black Belt.”