Mentoring – it’s a WIN-WIN situation!

Hollywood star Whoopi Goldberg once said, "We're here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark".

As a Mentee

I believe that I have been mentored throughout my life. Whether it’s someone who guides you informally, gives you compliments or feedback on a skill, you always stand to be benefited if you have an open mind. I am blessed to have had the opportunity to interact with some great individuals at a very young age. My mentors have not only inspired me to excel but also supported me in every phase of my life.

I believe that a mentor is not one who tells you what to do but someone who provides different perspectives and helps you analyze and identify opportunities. My very first mentors were my parents who helped mould me into a strong, determined, focused individual.  The success factor in this scenario was the trust that we shared and their faith in my decisions.

One of my recent mentors, is someone who recognized my potential while I was still in college and is the reason behind my regard and respect for my previous company.  Being a fresher I was raring to go and get started on work, my mentor helped me channelize my energy and understand the intricacies of corporate life. His experience, achievements, working style and leadership skills inspire me to scale greater heights.

There have been many instances where my mentors have come to my rescue. As it was my first job, I would get flustered when things didn’t work out as expected and frantically search for ways to resolve issues. My mentors helped me understand my purpose and differentiate between what is worth worrying about and what isn’t.

As a Mentor

When new hires joined my team, I was given the opportunity to train and mentor them. This proved to be an enriching experience for me. Not only did I build my training and communication skills, I also learnt the importance of being secure in my job and not holding back when giving information. Whether it’s rendering support or providing guidance or just listening to them, the results have been exhilarating.

As an English saying goes,”As you sow, so you reap”, what goes around comes around. I’ve learnt that if you help others selflessly, they in turn look for ways to invest in your success.

My mentors helped me identify my strengths and realize my potential. At the same time they have been instrumental in giving me constructive criticism thus helping me grow to become a better individual.  Nothing beats calling up my mentors immediately after I have achieved a feat because I know they will be thrilled and proud of me. When the same thing happens between my mentees and me, I feel like life has come a full circle for me.

To quote, Norman Vincent Peale, author of Power of Positive Thinking “The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have”. That’s the power of mentoring.