Business mentoring is a journey of guiding, inspiring and reflecting, a role we embrace with passion, skill, competence and commitment. At the heart of every successful business mentor, lies a dedication to nurturing talent, fostering growth or simply ‘being there’ for clients. But let's pause for a moment and consider this: even the most skilled, experienced and competent mentors benefit from support. This blog delves into why every mentor needs their own mentor, a ‘supervisor’ as they are called in the trade – a mentor of mentors, if you will.
In a world where technology and markets are as changeable as the weather, staying updated is not just beneficial, it's essential. Just like business itself, mentoring is ever evolving. A mentor’s mentor, or a supervisor, is not merely a guide; they are a source of current knowledge, best practice and perspectives. They help us stay not just relevant, but ahead of the curve, ensuring our knowledge, skills and competences are as current as they are insightful.
As mentors, it’s easy to become stuck in our own expertise. By unwittingly specialising in certain sectors or certain types of clients, we can adopt patterns of behaviours and ways of working that we believe are the best way of operating. A supervisor acts as a crucial sounding board, challenging and expanding our views. They help ensure that our competencies are not only professional but also resonate with the dynamic nature of today's business world.
Accountability is the cornerstone of professionalism. As mentors, we hold others accountable, but who holds us to the same standard? Supervisors fill this vital role, ensuring that we don't just good practice, but also embody it in our own professional practices.
Reflection is at the core of effective mentoring. Supervisors encourage us to reflect on how we mentor. With their help we are able to see challenges through a different lens.They keep our approach vibrant and effective, ensuring that with every session we reflect on, we develop and improve our own professionalism as mentors.
Mentoring, while rewarding, can, if we let it, take its toll on our own emotions. Dealing with varied personalities and sometimes challenging business issues can be taxing.This is where a mentor’s mentor becomes indispensable, providing a supportive environment to share, unwind, and recharge. They are the emotional anchor in our mentoring journey.
In essence, a supervisor for mentors is not a luxury, but a necessity. They play a pivotal role in ensuring that we, as mentors, remain informed, grounded, innovative, and resilient. To support other mentors effectively, we too, as mentors, need support. A supervisor is key to maintaining and developing your mentoring capabilities.
Behind every successful mentor stands a steadfast supervisor, an unsung hero shaping our path to mentoring excellence.
Philippa Seal is an experienced professional business mentor and qualified supervisor. Her mentoring approach is underpinned by my extensive, 25 year plus, direct and practical business experience as well as my excellent specialist business education and professional qualifications.
Discover more about Philippa's supervision services here.
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