Want to advance your own career? Mentor someone else

The new year means an opportunity for new experiences, and for company leaders, mentorship should be at the top of that list, says Amy Walker, executive vice president of sales at HR software company Paycom.

"When I started my career, mentoring was not commonplace in the corporate world," says Walker. "Now that I've had experience as both a mentor and a mentee, I see how it could have benefited me early on, which is why I am so passionate about it. I'm a firm believer that everyone should have a mentor regardless of where they are in their career. You should never be the smartest person in the room."

A successful mentee needs an effective mentor, which starts with the mentor knowing what knowledge they can impart, explains Walker. A potential mentor should be able to break down what skills they've had measurable success in, ensuring they can clearly communicate what they can advise on to potential mentees. Walker also reminds mentors to ask themselves why they want to mentor — if their answer isn't about wanting to help someone genuinely grow, then they should reconsider if this is the best role for them. 

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Once a mentor and mentee are matched, Walker advises mentors to establish that the relationship needs two-way communication. This means mentees are sharing the insights and skills they've developed as well as feedback for their mentor on what they need to grow.

"I establish trust with my mentees by creating a space for honest conversations and open feedback," says Walker. "I use constructive criticism as a tool for improvement and encourage my mentees to do the same with me. By establishing this communication style from the start, I have been able to create strong and transparent mentor-mentee relationships that have led to mutual development."

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Walker is confident that mentorships are worth the time and effort, not only for the impact on the mentee but also on the mentor and the company. According to the Women in Tech Network, over 70% of mentees reported improvements in self-confidence, and 80% of mentors noticed improvements in leadership and communication skills. Meanwhile, 83% of mentors and mentees report that their experience increased their desire to stay with their current employer, according to the software company MentorcliQ. 

"Mentoring is a way to share your knowledge with people while enforcing accountability for their success," says Walker. "By helping mentees navigate their personal and professional journeys, I've also become a better listener and problem-solver, which is essential in my leadership role."

However, the greatest lesson Walker took from her experience is more personal.

"The people I've mentored have taught me the importance of humility," she says. "A person who is willing to acknowledge blind spots and intentionally ask for help is someone who wants to reach their maximum potential. I really admire the dedication."

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Walker advises anyone interested in becoming a first-time mentor this year to prioritize listening and expressing vulnerability. No one is a perfect mentor, but a flawless mentor with a flawless record wouldn't be very helpful, underlines Walker.

"I encourage first-time mentors to share their experiences, wins and failures," says Walker. "People learn from real-life examples that can help them reflect on their own paths and gain new insights."