Being a Mentee Has Changed

It is difficult to be in a mentorship relationship in today's corporate world. One of the most difficult aspects is due to the fact experienced workers are not staying in positions long enough to implement the "take him under my wing" forever approach.

Nowadays, the buzzwords are networking, linking, and "helping." In other words, to be truly successful, we need to learn how to treat those relationships.

Because time is so compressed, we need to ensure that value is offered from our end, rather than expecting an individual to engage in a one-sided relationship. How can we offer assistance on a project, lend unique skills, or help them prepare for meetings? In this way, the mentor will view a protege as a resource and not a drain. It's also key to have a "stable" of mentors who can expose us to various aspects of the organization. They need to view us as personable, positive, and willing to help.

Ultimately, the principles being emphasized are ones that stress connectivity and mutual benefit, rather than just "what is he/she going to do for me?" Perhaps this is due to a fast paced world, where technology is an instrument of constant change and nothing remains stagnant. However, I believe it also shows how spiritual principles are being re-introduced in the workplace, and that to be truly successful, we have to think beyond just climbing the ladder.