Leaders tend to have one of two opinions on the value of mentoring inexperienced workers: either "it's something that would be nice to do if only I had the time," or "it's a complete waste of time." But in truth, mentoring is never a waste. In fact, it can boost the productivity of both the mentee and mentor significantly, and by doing so, it contributes to the success of the entire organization. But mentoring becomes a productivity accelerator only when taken seriously—i.e., when it becomes more than lip service or an educational tool indulged in as time permits. Productive mentoring kicks it up a notch, driving performance and challenging mentees to grow into their roles in profitable ways. Making It Work Everyone involved must be willing to take time for mentoring; you can't … [Read more...]