Finding top talent and retaining employees is crucial, but today, it is rife with challenges. What can companies do to confront these issues?

One way to handle these problems is by proactively creating ways to nurture workers and encouraging their development as individuals. 

Leaders can start by establishing a mentoring program within their workplace. What they can do is connect experts and specialists in particular fields with employees who are seen with the potential to succeed, regardless of whether these employees are already good at what they do or are still amateurs in the industry.

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Some studies show that some organisations do not offer career development or planning resources to their employees. This may be one factor why employee attrition is high, because employees think that they are in a dead-end job. This trend of high employee attrition can be reversed if workers themselves feel that they are being nurtured in the company. This can also be reversed if employees are linked with experts who can guide them throughout their stay in the company.

How can someone be classified as a mentor?

A mentor is a person who provides advice and guidance to a less experienced worker, known as a mentee. Usually, mentees seek mentors who are in the same industry or field. The mentor’s goal is to help the mentee develop and grow as an individual, offering suggestions based on their advanced experience and knowledge. Mentorship can be built through personal connections, networking, or formal mentorship programs in the company.

Why becoming a mentor is helpful

Having a mentorship program at work can yield to higher employee satisfaction. According to a CNBC survey, more than 91 percent of workers who have a mentor are satisfied with their jobs. About 57 per cent of them say they are “very satisfied.” It’s also the same with mentors. Those who serve as mentors showed a 69 per cent retention rate and reported greater job satisfaction.

Becoming a mentor is important because 93 per cent of workers believe that setting goals is important to a work performance. You can help mentees set expectations and goals that will help them achieve certain work standards and improve their work performance.

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Mentors support the growth of mentees. As a mentor, you enable and encourage the professional growth and development of your mentees. You can focus their efforts by giving feedback, which will help build an employee’s skills. Your prior experience and knowledge can help train and create a productive and high-quality workforce.

When you become a mentor, you gain the trust of your mentee and you become their ally. You also offer words of encouragement so that you can increase their self-esteem. You provide constructive criticism and motivate mentees to move forward if they make mistakes.

Lastly, as a mentor, you can help build your mentee’s professional network. You can connect them to other people in the similar field with whom they can work. You can also lead them to professional opportunities which will be crucial in your mentees’ career advancement.

Mentorship is essential in building the career of every employee. Mentors can guide their mentees and help them set their own direction.