Let’s admit it. No matter the job title—manager, director, or entrepreneur—leaders are forced to prioritize time. Naturally, when mandatory tasks pour in, they take priority and optional tasks are cut. Mentorship is often first on that chopping block. In a life where schedules are overbooked, why carve out time for others? Because the people we work with and care about need ongoing support and conversation.
Because being a mentor is crucial for career development. By being proactive in how we care for others, we are better able to care for the self. Not only does it bring personal satisfaction, it grows the networks and communities around us. It’s time to resolve the demands of mentorship against the demands of our calendars. Here we give 5 strategies to fit mentoring into a busy work schedule.
Screen early and upfront. Spend time getting to know the person to assess the possibility for a mutually rewarding relationship. While you might want to mentor everyone, your limited time requires you to be discerning. You are not searching for replicas of yourself—this leads to a missed opportunity to diversify your panel of mentees. Instead, you are assessing for practical measures that suggest you are compatible. We recommend exploring three core principles: Do you have the content expertise to support their particular needs? Do you have the available time they are requesting? Do you have a similar work-ethic? Compatibility is a subjective determination and worth exploring early. If not compatible, kindly explain the objective reasons, redirect to alternative mentors, and keep your calendar open.
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