Category Archives: Leadership

Searching for Future Leaders in your Organization?

Competitive Edge, Leadership

Searching for Future Leaders in your Organization?

Are you searching for future leaders in your organization? Before advertising a new position, look within the office walls first. With attention to mentoring and leadership development, any organization will benefit from leaders that have the knowledge required and the best interests of the company at heart.

The Positive Impact on the Organization
Any growing business must constantly consider the direction of the company, including short-term and long-term goals. It’s important to plan for success and the inevitable changes that will occur over time. Workers will move, retire, or simply seek a position better suiting their personal needs.

Rather than being caught off guard, when the business undergoes change, it’s better to prepare for shifts in the workforce. Such preparation doesn’t have to be a painful experience. Instead, it can ultimately have a positive impact on the organization. By implementing a mentoring program, future leaders are:

  • Prepared to fill the shoes of a predecessor
  • Dedicated to performance advancement within the company
  • Loyal to the company and its goals
  • An active participant in the training of subordinates

For a company to grow and prosper, it’s important for every employee, from management down, to see their position as integral part of the total success of the organization. Mentoring is an excellent resource for leadership development and achievement of this goal.

Mentoring Saves on Recruitment and Training
Before dismissing mentoring as a great tool for building future leaders, consider how it saves on recruitment and training. Many companies spend thousands, if not millions, of dollars on educating and training employees. Oftentimes, it means additional travel expenses and lost productivity. In addition, the classes and seminars are not always geared to the specific needs of the organization.

Taking advantage of mentoring in leadership development is beneficial because:

  • Experienced Personnel train new employees
  • The employee advancing trains replacement
  • Loyal, hardworking employees are preparing for advancement
  • Valued employees are likely to remain
  • Productivity loss is minimized, if an employee is gone
  • Mentors know the organization

In short, who better to train a new employee than the person who is preparing to move up in the company? Employees have a vested interest in mentoring, because they are essentially training a future subordinate.

Developing Committed and Seasoned Leaders
Leadership development and mentoring is a constantly ongoing process, within a progressive company. The learning process continues, as all of the employees experience growth. Then, when the time comes for advancement within the organization, the employees have developed into committed and seasoned leaders.

No one is thrust into a new position, without the knowledge and training necessary to perform new duties. The learning curve for current employees is greatly reduced, and the period of adjustment to the practices and goals of an organization is eliminated altogether.

Mentoring growth within the company also fosters employees that are committed to the success of the organization. Not only are they ready to advance as leaders, mentoring employees have invested a lot in professional growth and prosperity. Essentially, it feels like ‘their’ company.

So, why spend a lot of money and lose productivity in outsourcing the search for future leaders? Set up a formal mentoring program, and create the resource from within, while developing long-term loyal workers who desire to see their company succeed.

Copyright, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Mentoring is the Answer to Diversity Initiatives in Your Organization

Competitive Edge, Diversity Asset, Leadership, Mentor/Mentee Training

Mentoring is the Answer to Diversity Initiatives in Your Organization

Never before in the history of mankind has the world been more mobile. People are constantly moving, in search of better opportunities. International relocations, for improved employment opportunities are also more common. As a result, the workplace is becoming more diverse every day; and, it’s important to see these differences as an asset, not a liability. Thus, mentoring is the answer to diversity initiatives in your organization.

Mentoring Enhances Workplace Diversity

When asked to consider the topic of workplace diversity, most people first think of race and religious beliefs. But, it’s much more than the differences in skin color or an individual’s views regarding a higher power. People are different in so many ways, including:

  • Culture
  • Gender
  • Personal Interests
  • Learning Styles
  • Communication Skills
  • Personal Values

Teaching people to accept one another, and utilize workplace diversity is what diversity initiatives are all about; and mentoring is the answer to creating a solid workforce.

Consider the following scenario:

Jane has been working for company X for 10 years. Because of her experience, she is chosen to mentor a new employee. Having 3 children of her own, she is the motherly sort, but she also knows how to get the job done. She attends church regularly and frequently volunteers for community events. Jane’s coworkers describe her as very loyal and straight-laced.

Jane has been assigned to mentor Susan who appears different in every conceivable way. She is more of a loner, with a slight chip on her shoulder. She is not very trusting of people, because no one in her life has earned that privilege. She has multi-colored hair, likes heavy metal music, and has never held a job for more than a year.

Amazingly, as Jane mentors Susan, subtle changes begin to take place. Over time, Susan learns that some people are worthy or trust and respect. Jane always seems to be there, when she needs something or has a question. On the other hand, Jane learns that Susan is a hard worker, a fast learner, and eager to find a place to belong. A sense of camaraderie and friendship has developed between two people that normal would have avoided one another in the past.

Of course, Jane and Susan are totally fictitious. But, the example is meant to describe how people so different can benefit from mentoring and managing diversity in the workplace.

The Upside to Managing Diversity in the Workplace

Managing diversity in the workplace benefits both the employees and the management. Without acceptance of differences, within the office, it’s almost impossible to get things done and grow a business. Everyone is only concerned about his/her position, with little thought to how each job contributes to the success of any organization.

However, when a mentoring program is instituted, it brings about many positive changes:

  • Feel valued
  • Employees learn from one another
  • Strengths are discovered and better utilized
  • Employees bond and work together for a common goal
  • Management saves on the cost of training new employees
  • Management prepares employees for advancement
  • The organization is more productive and profitable
  • Employee turnaround is slowed

In short, mentoring creates a more positive environment in the workplace. Employees learn from one another and may discover new ways to approach old problems. Management gains a more loyal and cohesive group of workers, while saving money on the cost of education and training. Workplace diversity becomes an asset to the productivity and growth of an organization.

Copyright, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

Use Mentoring with Team Building to Achieve Strong Teams

Competitive Edge, Leadership, Mentor/Mentee Training

Use Mentoring with Team Building to Achieve Strong Teams

Whether you are a fan of baseball, football, soccer or basketball, one of the things that you’ll notice is that only the teams that work well together are able to come out on top. As you strive to achieve all the goals you have set for your business, one of the things that you’re going to want to take a closer look at is company team building. Team building is not a single effort; it’s not something that you can try to tackle just once and hope it sticks, just as a coach who is trying to lead a team to the World Series, the Super Bowl, the World Cup tournament or basketball’s finals can’t schedule a single practice and expect the team to do the rest. With company team building, however, you’ll find that you do not need to be the only coach.

By taking the time to develop a mentoring strategy and involving those who have been with your company the longest, you’ll discover a variety of team building activities that can take place. For those employees who are new to the company, being paired with a mentor who has been there, who knows the “rules of the game,” and who understands the best practices for reaching company goals is like having a team captain, a teammate and a cheerleader all rolled into one.

For those who have been on staff longer, a mentoring program helps to open the door to learning new techniques or new technologies For example, protégés can teach their mentors how to use social networking tools more effectively. Those who have experience and are willing to learn from others on the team will find that they are able to do their work with greater ease, and they are able to accomplish more.

The key benefit of mentoring and company team building is the ability to draw workers together – and to make sure that they are finding support when they need it. By making sure that your staff members all feel supported and are able to recognize that they are part of something bigger – part of a team – you can rest assured that they will remain committed to reaching the goals that you’ve set forth for the company.

Having a job is one thing – especially given the overall economy. However, for those who are looking at what they can do to give their employees a sense of purpose and not just a steady paycheck, it’s important to focus on creating an investment in the business. Mentoring and team building activities that bring the staff together and allow everyone to work toward a common goal will not only help to create strong teams, but they will also lead to continued strength for your business.

Copyright 2009, Cecile Peterkin. All rights reserved.

How a Corporate Mentoring Program Prepares Employees for Success

Competitive Edge, Leadership

How a Corporate Mentoring Program Prepares Employees for Success

In business, making sure that you are taking steps to ensure your company’s continued success is important. One of the best steps that you can take when you want to know that your staff members have what it takes to keep things running smoothly is to implement a corporate mentoring program.

Rather than a more traditional training program, you’ll find that a corporate mentoring program:

  • Ensures that new employees ,whether they are new to the business or simply new to a specific department , know to whom they can turn whenever they have a question.
  • Enables continuity in the ways in which your customers or clients receive their services. With employee mentoring programs, what you are going to find is that more experienced staff are helping those with less experience to learn more about the ways in which things are done and why they are done a particular way. Though it’s also true that a newer staff member may be able to contribute better ways of doing things, with a corporate mentoring program, sharing resources and tools happens naturally.
  • Encourages communication about strengths and discussion of key projects.
  • Allows relationships to build and for members working within the same department to form strong teams.

Team building is an essential step when you want to prepare your employees for success. Employee mentoring programs help each staff member to learn more about the company and to become a part of a team. By taking the time to celebrate the strengths of key staff members while helping those who are new to the department to learn more about why things are the way they are, you can be sure that you’re creating an environment in which staff members are comfortable turning to one another.

Knowing that you have focused on creating strong teams with a corporate mentoring program is going to allow you to know that your staff have ongoing support. Additionally, you will find that members of the team are able to look at more efficient ways of completing projects, can communicate more effectively with one another and can better identify strategies that will improve the services that your company provides to your customers and clients.

In other words, by looking into the benefits of employee. mentoring programs and focusing on the best way to bring such a program into your business, you can rest assured that your clients and customers are getting the attention that they deserve. You’ll also know that your staff members are on-board and are committed to your company’s success.

A corporate mentoring program, therefore, in one part training program and one part investment in the future of your business. When you know that your staff members are receiving the guidance and support that they need and that everyone on the team is focused on creating a better atmosphere, you will also find increased job satisfaction and, along with it, less of a need for training. As a result, you’ll know that everyone on your staff is ready to rise to the occasion and to contribute to the continuing success of your company.

Team Building Benefits When Team Members Coach Each Other

Competitive Edge, Leadership

Team Building Benefits When Team Members Coach Each Other

Businesses that consistently perform at the top of their game often have one thing going for them that less successful companies don’t: a strong team. Because of this, businesses that are looking for the chance to take a larger hold within their markets are going to want to look into team building activities and options. Coaching and mentoring in the workplace – just like on a sports field – are extremely beneficial for team building.

What are the benefits of team building that come from having members coach one another?

  1. Coaching and mentoring encourages staff members to make a connection. When you’re able to bring together employees across generations, employees who have different skill sets and ideas, you’ll find that relationships form and employees are able to count on one another.
  2. By encouraging members of your staff to both coach and be coached, you’ll find that everyone is continuing to learn. Building a team will benefit your business because employees are going to recognize that everyone has something to contribute, and each staffer – from those at an entry level right up to the executives – will recognize that they have somewhere to turn when they feel a bit stuck. Most importantly, this contributes to keeping fresh ideas coming.Coaching allows employees to receive praise for what they are doing well. Ultimately, it’s important to make sure that your staff get recognition for those things that they are doing well and not just hearing about the areas where they can improve; when staff members know that their accomplishments are recognized and know that there’s value in what they are doing, not only are there benefits to the overall strength of the team, but also individual employees want to keep putting in their best efforts.
  3. Building a strong team benefits a business in that, just as they would on a sports field, your staff members will be in a position to cheer one another on, to problem solve when necessary and to recognize that when each member of the team succeeds, the entire team finds success.
    In other words, coaching and mentoring in the workplace create a foundation for solid teamwork and an environment in which everyone wants to succeed. The more that your staff is brought together and recognizes that they are a team, the more that they will be able to contribute. The more that your staff are able to contribute within the office on their own and with their teams (and, the better that they feel about coming into work in the morning), the more that will be accomplished.

Team building, therefore, is a vital component to having a thriving business. Strong teams are able to problem solve, lead from within, and to focus on bringing your staff together. When your staff members recognize business goals and are focused on helping one another succeed, you’ll find that they are more productive, more present, and more committed to the success of your company – it really is as simple as that.

How a Corporate Mentoring Program Prepares Employees for Success

Competitive Edge, Leadership

How a Corporate Mentoring Program Prepares Employees for Success

In business, making sure that you are taking steps to ensure your company’s continued success is important. One of the best steps that you can take when you want to know that your staff members have what it takes to keep things running smoothly is to implement a corporate mentoring program.

Rather than a more traditional training program, you’ll find that a corporate mentoring program:

  • Ensures that new employees ,whether they are new to the business or simply new to a specific department , know to whom they can turn whenever they have a question.
  • Enables continuity in the ways in which your customers or clients receive their services. With employee mentoring programs, what you are going to find is that more experienced staff are helping those with less experience to learn more about the ways in which things are done and why they are done a particular way. Though it’s also true that a newer staff member may be able to contribute better ways of doing things, with a corporate mentoring program, sharing resources and tools happens naturally.
  • Encourages communication about strengths and discussion of key projects.
  • Allows relationships to build and for members working within the same department to form strong teams.

Team building is an essential step when you want to prepare your employees for success. Employee mentoring programs help each staff member to learn more about the company and to become a part of a team. By taking the time to celebrate the strengths of key staff members while helping those who are new to the department to learn more about why things are the way they are, you can be sure that you’re creating an environment in which staff members are comfortable turning to one another.

Knowing that you have focused on creating strong teams with a corporate mentoring program is going to allow you to know that your staff have ongoing support. Additionally, you will find that members of the team are able to look at more efficient ways of completing projects, can communicate more effectively with one another and can better identify strategies that will improve the services that your company provides to your customers and clients.

In other words, by looking into the benefits of employee.

mentoring programs and focusing on the best way to bring such a program into your business, you can rest assured that your clients and customers are getting the attention that they deserve. You’ll also know that your staff members are on-board and are committed to your company’s success.

A corporate mentoring program, therefore, in one part training program and one part investment in the future of your business. When you know that your staff members are receiving the guidance and support that they need and that everyone on the team is focused on creating a better atmosphere, you will also find increased job satisfaction and, along with it, less of a need for training. As a result, you’ll know that everyone on your staff is ready to rise to the occasion and to contribute to the continuing success of your company.