What's the urgency in starting a mentor program? Too often when we talk to organizations about mentor programs, people can appreciate the value of such a program, but often get sidetracked with other urgent issues. It reminds me of Stephen Covey's Urgent-Important grid in his 7 Habits book. Mentor programs seem to be Important-Not Urgent. They are a great idea for "some day."
Here's a different perspective: Mentor programs are Important and Urgent. The demographics tell us that in 15 years one half of the workforce will be Gen Y or Millenials. Yes, in 15 years, the Boomers are gone. And they have already begun their exodus. What institutional knowledge will you have lost? What valuable industry lessons or company culture aspects will not be shared? And what young talent will you also have lost because they did not have a mentor and did not feel like your organization was actively managing their development? The Gen Y chohort loves mentor programs. Gen X finds safety in keeping their skills up to date. Both groups would benefit from a mentor program.
Don't wait until "some day" to start a mentor program. The urgency is now. Make sure the wisdom gets passed down. Make sure you have programs in place now to retain your superstars. Make it Urgent and Important. Start creating your own MentorRoadmap.
Contact us to set up a 30 minute Cartography 101 session to explore how mentoring could support your leadership development, talent management, and succession planning.
Copyright Susan Coombs, 2014. All Rights Reserved
Here's a different perspective: Mentor programs are Important and Urgent. The demographics tell us that in 15 years one half of the workforce will be Gen Y or Millenials. Yes, in 15 years, the Boomers are gone. And they have already begun their exodus. What institutional knowledge will you have lost? What valuable industry lessons or company culture aspects will not be shared? And what young talent will you also have lost because they did not have a mentor and did not feel like your organization was actively managing their development? The Gen Y chohort loves mentor programs. Gen X finds safety in keeping their skills up to date. Both groups would benefit from a mentor program.
Don't wait until "some day" to start a mentor program. The urgency is now. Make sure the wisdom gets passed down. Make sure you have programs in place now to retain your superstars. Make it Urgent and Important. Start creating your own MentorRoadmap.
Contact us to set up a 30 minute Cartography 101 session to explore how mentoring could support your leadership development, talent management, and succession planning.
Copyright Susan Coombs, 2014. All Rights Reserved
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