How mentorship can transform the workplace
Today we’re recognising and celebrating the benefits of mentoring for International Mentoring Day. To mark the occasion, we’re sharing the success of our company Buddy Scheme at Corecom Consulting, launched by our inspirational Managing Director, Jonathan Sanderson. Jonathan is a dedicated mentor himself, supporting students at local universities, previously homeless people at the charity, Emmaus Leeds, and employees at Corecom Consulting. He was a finalist for ‘Leader of the Year’ at the Investor in People Awards 2021 and ‘Champion of the North’ at the Prolific North Champions Awards 2021.
Jonathan launched the Buddy Scheme in 2018 with the objective of enabling new starters and our more junior employees to gain help, support and advice from our more senior staff members.
Jonathan Sanderson, Managing Director at Corecom Consulting, said:
“The Buddy Scheme is an initiative which has been introduced to benefit both the mentee and the mentor. The mentee receives accelerated learning benefits, inspiration and motivation, which in turn leads to increased confidence and self-esteem. The mentor receives fulfilment through sharing knowledge and supporting in the social and economic progress of the mentee.
“I encourage mentees to use their mentors to gain developmental advice, for help with work issues, and to even discuss personal problems outside of work.”
Bethany Hall-Fletcher, Graduate Recruitment Consultant at Corecom Consulting, said:
“The mentor scheme really helped (and continues to help!) my learning and development whilst in Corecom. It has helped me learn from mistakes before I even make them, as I can always run any decisions past my buddy without any judgement. It’s also helped me develop my confidence as a recruiter as my mentor is always around to hype me up whenever I’ve done anything well. I can positively say that the mentor scheme has transformed the way that I recruit for the better and has contributed to the leaps and bounds I’ve made so far in my role”
Do you have the attributes to be a good mentor?
If you display these six key qualities, then you do:
- Be able to listen and problem solve
- Be able to create a measurable plan that helps the mentee achieve their goals
- Be encouraging, positive and enthusiastic
- Have experience and expertise to pass on to the mentee
- Be able to use case studies and stories from past experiences as examples to help you teach
- Be willing to learn from the mentee too (mentors are also likely to learn something new)
Improve the mental health and wellbeing of your employees by implementing a mentoring scheme. For further advice and guidance visit our Employer Centre.
I have seen the challenges that people with protected characteristics face and I’d like to be a part of the population that is fighting for change. I have personally seen benefits from growing up within a diverse friendship group and around a family from different culture backgrounds. I want to encourage people to celebrate people’s differences and to take the opportunity to learn about others and accept them for who they are just as they would like to be accepted themselves.