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Mentoring
“ If
each of us hires people who are smaller than we are, we shall become a company
of dwarfs. But if each of us hires people who are
bigger than we are, we shall become a company of giants”…. David Ogilvy, ‘Passion
for Excellence'.
Mentoring was initially used to develop the hi-fliers, put them on the
fast-track , or even to ‘break-in' new employees at all levels. It is
still used extensively to energize older officers in a rut or established
hi-fliers to quickly transfer organizational values, attitudes, skills and
general managerial savvy to promising incumbents; in short, development.
Bosses are also mentors, but the classical mentor is a
friend, philosopher and guide whose ultimate aim is to see his protégé
fly higher than he ever did, even in his heyday…The ‘Ustad' concept in
India… now waning, but still alive in music. It is characterized by a warm,
intimate and personal relationship not entirely possible, for obvious reasons of
command, between boss and subordinate. It operates at a different level, but
should never encroach on the boss-subordinate territory, nor degenerate into a
system, which creates rival ‘personality cults', which are unhealthy and lead to
splits and vendettas within the organization, sapping its energy.
Points to remember about
mentoring:
-based on mutual respect, if
not admiration (The
Kid
thinks, “ a'int
never gonna see no-one faster or better'n The ‘Ol Man' He's the
last of the real gunfighters.”
Meanwhile, The ‘Ol Man' is thinking: “Holy smoke!
The Kid 's greased lightnin'!
Faster'n I ever wuz !!”).
- reinforces
corporate outlook and understanding
- enables an employee to reach higher levels of effectiveness far quicker
- motivation for ‘old timers' to become mentors
- provides a protégé a second opinion, back-up
for learning process based on experience gained on the job.
- It would do no harm if boss and mentor also
happened to be friends. A great boss will never feel threatened by a mentor.
QUESTIONS:
1.
How would you react to having a ‘mentor' in your
organization? Can you explain the subtle difference
between ‘coach' and ‘mentor'?
2.
Illustrate
the role of a ‘mentor', vis-à-vis a boss. How can the situation be managed in
case of clash between the two. Is such a thing possible?
