12 Mentor Moments to Help Leaders Grow Their Businesses Profitably
I was chatting with Art Petty not long ago. Art is a thought leader in the space of “leadership,” and I mentioned I feel like singing …” Where have all the mentors gone? Long time passing, everyone…” As I discussed with Art, a number of young managers coming up through the ranks lack a foundation in basic skills that were once their mentors’ responsibility to teach. Mentor moments have a significant impact on retention and preformance but we are seeing teams move away from formal mentoring programs.
We must train our future leaders and give them the foundation to succeed. As Boomers age out, our economy faces a potential leadership shortfall over the next 10 years, and this will have a dramatic negative impact on shareholder value if not addressed.
We know mentor moments over time deliver great value.
Below is a short list of what impact mentor moments have on team and individual results.
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Mentor Moments Improves Job Performance
Research consistently finds that employees with mentors tend to perform better and are rated higher on performance evaluations.
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Mentor Moments Enhances Career Advancement & Promotion Rates
Several longitudinal studies show that adults with mentors are promoted more often and advance faster in their careers than those without mentors.
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Mentor Moments Lead to Higher Confidence & Skill Development
Mentoring supports both competence (skill) and confidence (self-efficacy) — two predictors of high performance.
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Mentor Moments Improves Retention and Engagement
Mentored employees are more engaged and less likely to leave their organization, which is strongly tied to better performance at both the individual and team levels.
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Mentor Moments Boosts Learning & Adaptive Performance
Mentoring plays a key role in helping individuals adapt to new challenges, learn faster on the job, and apply skills in real scenarios — all markers of high performance.
Key Evidence-Based Mentor Moments Takeaways
Mentored individuals:
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Are rated higher on job performance measures
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Receive promotions more quickly
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Report higher confidence and goal clarity
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Are more engaged and stay longer at organizations
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Learn and adapt better to challenges
Mentoring impacts both:
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Short-term performance outcomes
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Long-term career growth and leadership readiness
I was blessed to have a number of mentors throughout my career, and to this day, the wisdom they shared still resonates within me. So I set out to be a part of the solution and share the wisdom they generously shared with me, with you, in this article. My hope is if you do not have a mentor some of the advice mentors have given me over the past 40 years will bless you.
If you like this format, please let me know, and I will share more.
If you feel someone on your team would value having a copy of this, forward it to them.
12 Mentor Moments to Grow Your Business Profitably:
Mentor Moment #1: Don’t let them know where you tie your Goat
Mentor Moment #2: You don’t have to be a prickly person to become a leader
Mentor Moment #3: Just because you can, does not mean you should
Mentor Moment #4: When tempers flare, ask yourself…”Is this the Hill you want to die on”?
Mentor Moment #5: Brand with Intention or the Market will “Brand you by Default.”
Mentor Moment #6, Seek Significance Not Success
Mentor Moment #7: Inspect what you Expect
Mentor Moment #8: “Haste makes Waste.”
Mentor Moment #9: Insight without Action…a waste of time and money
Mentor Moment #10: “Nail it before you Scale it”
Mentor Moment #11: Seek First to Understand, BEFORE You Take Action
Mentor Moment #12: Dance with the Date who Brought you to the Dance
As I face challenges, I have the benefit of over 30 years of experience and mentors who have shared the above wisdom and more to center me and help me make decisions that provide maximum value to the teams and customers I serve. These mentor moments, which I now so cherish, are often used to filter new information and opportunities.
If you currently do not have a mentor…find one!
If you are not currently mentoring someone…become one!
I am reminded of when I studied martial arts, and I became a green belt. In our dojo, once you earn a green belt, you have demonstrated the ability to execute basic key movements on a consistent basis, so you are asked to teach the white belts. At first, as young green belts, we thought this was an honor to share our knowledge and skills. However, as you progress in rank over the years, you ask new green belts to teach you, understanding that teaching makes your understanding of techniques and movement stronger. The same is true when you choose to mentor others.
Being a mentor to others is not for those who do not want to be challenged…
They will test you.
They probably will not value you when you challenge them.
They may misinterpret your assistance as discipline.
They may push your buttons when they become uncomfortable..Push them anyway.
The more they challenge you, the more your proficiency will grow.
When challenged, you will find your skill grows as well.
How about your organization…
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Do you have a formal mentor program to prepare tomorrow’s leaders? If so please share…
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How about you? Do you have a mentor?
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Did you pick them or did they pick you?
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What are some mentor moments you have been given over the years that the up-and-coming leaders should hear?
If you’re looking for a mentor, you can read some of the mentors I’ve studied over the years.
Be part of the solution and actively seek mentors to improve your results today and in the future.
At this stage of my career, I now mentor business owners who want to drive explosive growth. I help them create strategic growth plans and navigate the bumps in the road as they strt executing their plans.
Let’s schedule a call if you wish to discuss mentor moments in more detail.