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Jeffery Perry shares an article on the mutual benefits of mentor-mentee relationships.

Throughout the career development journey for most professionals, the value of having a mentor as a guiding light, advisor, and counselor has been regularly noted. Most mentors also highlight the personal satisfaction they receive from playing this role in the lives of others. However, mentors also benefit in many other ways that may be overlooked. When these benefits are fully recognized, it further elevates the mentor-mentee relationship to new heights for both parties.

According to Forbes, 84% of Fortune 500 companies have formal mentoring programs. At the same time, there are countless examples of informal mentoring that take place as well. Whether formal or informal, mutually beneficial mentoring relationships don’t just happen, they require work and effort by both parties. Mentees must give thought to the type of mentor who can help them, value the time and investment of their mentor, and be open to the advice of their mentor. Mentors must be honest about the type of mentee they can actually help and establish expectations about the frequency, content, and duration of the relationship. Once there is a shared understanding of the parameters of the mentor-mentee relationship, the benefits flow.

Here are examples of key benefits to mentees of mentor-mentee relationships:

Builds Connections: Mentees who are in the early stages of their careers or in new career spaces benefit from the connections and networks of their mentors.

Leverages Wisdom: Mentors who share experiences and learnings from their personal and career journeys with their mentees—the good, the bad, and the ugly—help prepare their mentees to navigate what lies ahead in their journeys.

Tests Ideas: Valuable mentors create space for mentees to test ideas and plans in a safe space before fully committing to a path forward.

Accelerates Career: People who have mentor-mentee relationships have better career outcomes. According to a recent CNBC Workplace Happiness Survey, 71% of people with a mentor state they have opportunities to advance their career, compared to 47% of people without a mentor.

Key points include:

• Hones communication skills

• Promotes relevance and staying current

• Builds recognition and legacy

Read the full article, The Mutual Benefits of Mentor-Mentee Relationships, on LeadMandates.com.