Entrepreneurship and the Pretti Benefits of Mentorship

Have you ever considered mentoring some of the interns you bring on? Or what about that talented young person from your hometown who is blazing their own trail in your industry? I know that sometimes it seems like the primary benefit in mentorship is for the mentee, but nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is, the mentor gets plenty out of the relationship as well. And because there are so many personal and professional benefits (especially in our community) to taking the rising stars under our wings; I want to explore some of the key benefits to becoming a professional mentor in hopes of encouraging you to actively seek out mentees within your company and industry.

Everything Feel New Again
It's kind of like watching a child play in a park. You get to experience everything with a newness, thanks to their fresh view of life. Butterflies look more colorful, flowers smell better, and everything is a lot more fun. The same applies if you're a mentor for an up-and-coming star in your company, or community. Mesha Millington, founder of the Gloria Even School of the Arts and the Gloria Even Performing Arts Foundation often described her students wins as “the best currency in the world.” From my own experience, the rush of new excitement I feel when a mentee excels is next level.

Improves Job Satisfaction
Mentorships can help you avoid job boredom in your job. You'll feel a lot more satisfied with your job when you realize that someone else would love your job and are in fact trying to blaze a trail similar to the one you are on. It feels great that someone wants to someday pick up where you left off. And if I'm being honest, that is the entire point of building this my pretti empire!

Encourages Self-Reflection
This was the one for me. In 2017, I mentored a budding podcaster. Baby! Let me tell you!! When you work with someone who is hungry, it causes you to reflect on yourself and what you're doing in your career. Are you really doing enough? How well do you know yourself? Where can you stand to grow more? This relationship helps you think about these factors without harsh judgement and you guess it a new view point.

Builds More Professional Relationships
When you start working with mentees, you're going to build a network of people who like you, know you, and trust you - even when they move on to a new corporation or start a new business. They're going to think of you, recommend you, and want to keep working with you in some way. 

Increases Peer Recognition
Let's be honest, you won't be able to hire every person you mentor. This means they'll likely work with or for your peers. When you are a mentor for others and take care in your mentorships, your peers will respect you for doing it and think of you when it comes to leadership. They're going to see you as more of a leader than others, and that can pay off for you too. More speaking engagements, anyone?! 

Enhances Learning and Development

When you're trying to help someone else see their learning deficiencies and improve upon them, you're going to notice yours more too. Whatever you do, embrace that moment of vulnerability. Lead by exampe. Take more classes, go to seminars, and improving your deficiencies too.

Grows Your Network
For every mentee you work with, your network is going to grow by not just one but probably five to ten people due to the people you'll meet through them, and the people you'll meet for them when you look for people to help them. The larger your network the more appealing you become as a potential mentor.

If you want to reap the benefits of being a mentor, it's important to be a great mentor; learn about the skills needed, take your mentorships seriously, and put a lot into it. After all, the goal is to be who you needed early in your career.