Why mentoring matters
The first steps in any new job are the hardest, especially if those around you are time-poor. A good mentor can help.
Speaking to veterans and relatively newbies in the StartUp world reveals two groups of people: those that have mentors, and those that want them. It’s no secret that a good mentor can help signpost your development goals and guide you through tricky times whether the source of those times is personal or work driven. And yet, those that might benefit most from a mentor are least likely to have one. That group is early-stage professionals who are working their first job, or perhaps just their first role in a StartUp. So why are mentors so important for this group?
Teething issues
The first few days and weeks in a StartUp can be daunting. Without strong processes and working practices, new starters have to fend for themselves and find their own ways of doing things whilst they get to grips with the company and the role. Often a myriad of small questions and concerns are thrown up. Now, those who have more experience in the workplace are far more likely to ask for help. Those who are starting out shy away from putting all these questions to line managers they are hoping to impress. A mentor external to the company can help to remove those concerns.
Who to bother
Mentors can also guide new starters on who they could consider speaking to and how to approach them. Mentors won’t have all the answers, but there is a good chance they’ll be able to point new staff in the right direction.
Building a career
Once those first few weeks are dealt with, ambitious employees will want to start building their career. This should be exciting and can help bind employees to a StartUp if done right, but handled poorly and it can be a source of frustration for all involved. Building a personal growth plan is something that a mentor can help with in conjunction with guidance from line managers and senior staff.
Should I be here at all?
Some staff may ask the question about whether they should be in the company at all… and sometimes they might be right. Not every StartUp is the right environment for everyone and if employees aren’t getting what they want from a company then changes need to be made. If they can’t be, it might make more sense for all parties for the employee to move on and mentors can sometimes be a good sounding board for these difficult discussions.
Diversity and inclusion
StartUps sometimes struggle with diversity and inclusion. A common question from businesses is how they can attract the most talented and diverse talent if their current team isn’t as diverse as they would like. This is a good question; people are more likely to apply to companies where they can see relatable role models in similar or senior roles. An external mentor can help show employees that diversity is being addressed and those from minority backgrounds and being given all the support possible.