What mentoring could do for you

What mentoring could do for youAt different ages and stages we all need someone to help us find our way. Throughout life, supporting relationships are crucial to our self-development. The realisation of your full potential requires helping hands at a particular time. This is what a mentoring relationship is all about

A mentor could help you move in a new direction. This is how Caroline Hyman, FRPS, Fine Arts Photographer puts it: ‘When I was young, Desmond Russell took me under his wing as photographic assistant. He opened my eyes to the whole new world of the camera. Even today when I find myself in a tricky situation I think ‘How would Desmond handle this’. If it wasn’t for him I would have married some lovely Army officer and now be slaving away over a hot stove in darkest Gloucestershire.’

A mentor is someone who will recognise, encourage, instruct and inspire you. A mentor’s objective eye and truthful voice will help you gain insight into your strengths and weaknesses.

The right time

  • ‘I’m desperate to make a change but I fear it’s too late.’
    The fact is it’s never too late. And there’s no time like the present to benefit from a mentoring relationship.


  • ‘I’m ready for promotion, but don’t know how to set about getting it.’ A mentor will show you the way forward.


  • ‘I’m having problems managing a rather tricky relationship with my manager.’
    A mentor will set you straight.


  • ‘I’m bored and restless but haven’t a clue what I want.’
    A mentor will help identify your dream.


  • ‘I dream of working in the arts, but don’t know where to begin.’
    A mentor will serve as your guide.

    • It’s a male thing
    Men have long understood the importance of mentoring – historically it is their domain. Traditionally, a young male protégé will be identified by an organisational senior citizen as being a suitable candidate for initiation into the ‘old boy’s club’. This works very well indeed in old-fashioned male-dominated hierarchical organisations. However, in today’s leaner, meaner and flatter organisations old rules are being rewritten – by women.

    No… it’s a woman thing
    Men past their ‘sell-by-date’ continue to resist letting us into ‘the club’. So modern women are redefining the mentoring relationship. It’s not surprising: we females instinctively know just how important supportive relationships are. Women, not content to await the arrival of a mentor in shining armour, find their mentor of choice through in-house mentors, professional mentors, mentoring networks and peer-mentoring groups.

    The right person
    ‘The real difficulty mentoring a woman is getting her to believe men are as simple-minded as they really are,’ says Dr Paul Brown, consulting clinical & organisational psychologist. The mentoring relationship will work if you choose wisely. The right mentor will have the experience and expertise to show you the ropes, serve as your guide, point you in the right direction, warn you of potential pitfalls, challenge your assumptions, and steer you away from detours and dead ends.

    Research by mentor, Suzy Wales, shows that the right relationship is based on honesty, trust, openness, and understanding. With a good mentor you will learn, explore, be challenged, be criticised, and respected; and discover what about you is of value and how to put it to best use for your own satisfaction.