WHY WOMEN SHOULD MENTOR EACH OTHER

Transcription

1 The Importance of Professional Mentorships WHY WOMEN SHOULD MENTOR EACH OTHER The LongIsland Center for Business and Professional Women 535 Broad hollow Road Suite B33 Melville, NY Phone:

2 CONTENTS Introduction...2 Why Professional Women Should Mentor Each Other...3 The Benefits of a Professional Mentor-Mentee Relationship...6 Tips on How To Become A Mentor or Mentee... 7 Conclusion...8 About LI Center for Business and Professional Women...9

3 Introduction Mentoring is a step toward investing in the next generation of business and professional women. Mentoring can open doors, inspire, support, and encourage people to realize their potential and achieve their dreams. Mentors can make a profound difference in the lives of their mentee and in turn, strengthen our communities, economy, and drive social change. 2

4 I. Why Professional Women ShouldMentor Each Other Women often get less credit for their accomplishments and are penalized for promoting their work, the organization noted in a statement. To mitigate that, women should be mentoring each other every step of the way. In today s highly competitive world of business, having a mentor can mean the difference between success and failure. Whether seeking advice on how to better network with others, how to best design a new business model, or how to better manage your business, mentoring can help to ensure a successful outcome. Mentorships can help you create and reach career goals, as well as provide steady progress in your professional journey. Mentoring is a collaborative effort in which women can learn from and help each other become more successful in their profession. Women mentoring women is the key to developing and sustaining a satisfying professional career, particularly in a maledominated profession. The mentor and mentee relationship is a mutual learning experience; the mentor and mentee can, in fact, learn from each other. Mentoring and connecting with others enables each of us to grow, learn, transform, and accomplish our goals, as well as explore new possibilities. Whether you re a small business owner or a CEO, mentoring can help build a dynamic community while ensuring the success of each person as she achieves personal and professional career goals. 3

5 I. Why Professional Women ShouldMentor Each Other By providing guidance, support, advice, strategic feedback, and other insights to each other, you can learn and enhance leadership skills and collaborate for years to come.in male-dominated professions, where women often face greater challenges building networks and embracing leadership strengths, mentoring has been proven even more preeminent. A 2017 study by professional services firm Egon Zehnder found that only 54% of women have access to senior leaders who act as mentors or informal sponsors in their career. While advocacy and sponsorship rates decline as age increases, the women with the highest level of support are those already sitting in the C-suite. Also, only 14.2% of the top five leadership positions at the companies in the S&P 500 are held by women, according to a CNNMoney analysis in This research suggests that if women don t reach a critical threshold in their career early enough, they either stop reaching out for support or their organizations stop extending it. Because of this, it s important women be more deliberate in seeking mentors and establishing professional relationships, as well as urging other women to empower themselves in the workplace by standing up as leaders.women often get less credit for their accomplishments and are penalized for promoting their work. To mitigate that, women should be mentoring each other every step of the Women often get less credit for their 4

6 I. Why Professional Women ShouldMentor Each Other Accomplishments and are penalized for promoting their work. To mitigate that, women should be mentoring each other every step of the 5way. Philanthropist and former Microsoft project manager Melinda Gates once said, If you are successful, it is because somewhere, sometime, someone gave you life or an idea that started you in the right direction. Working with other professional women can energize and inspire you to take the next steps toward your goals and dreams. You can share insight and knowledge, grapple and discuss professional concerns, and encourage one another to continue fighting the good fight. 5

7 II. The Benefits of a Professional Mentor-Mentee Relationship Supporting each other s work. Providing support is a way in which you can encourage each other to achieve your goals. Gain valuable advice. Mentors can offer valuable insight into what it takes to get ahead. They can be your guide and "sounding board" for ideas. Develop your knowledge and skills. They can help you identify the skills and expertise you need to succeed. They may teach you what you need to know or advise you. Improve your communication skills. Just like your mentor, you may also learn to communicate more effectively, which can further help you in your career. Build your network. Your mentor can offer an opportunity to expand your existing network of personal and professional contacts. Advance your career. A mentor helps you stay focused and on track in your career through advice, skills development, networking, and so on. Learn new perspectives. Again, you can learn new ways of thinking from your mentor, just as your mentor can learn from you. 6

8 III. Tips on How To Become A Mentor or Mentee Consider hosting or attending a workshop. Workshops are a great way to work collaboratively and share ideas with a group. Each person s approach is unique and can offer a new perspective. Mentor someone. Consider offering your expertise to a fellow businesswoman. In a mentor-mentee relationship, both parties will learn from each other and consequently be more successful. Participate in a speaker panel. Panels are an excellent way to get involved in an industry. You may also consider attending or presenting at conferences related to your field. Conferences and panels give you the opportunity to discuss your experiences, skills, and goals, as well as expose your work within a larger community. Try speed mentoring in your city. Speed mentoring is a series of short, focused conversations about specific questions. You can typically meet with a limited number of mentees in 10-minute time slots. This tactic is beneficial because you can find a mentor or mentee that best fits your personality and goals. Join women's business group. If professional networking is a priority, consider joining a women s business group. Business groups offer you space and resources to cultivate professional relationships, network, improve leadership skills, and promote recognition through informative and professional programs. Spread the word. The easiest way you can expand your professional circles to spread the word! Sharing your goals, strengths, and concerns with other professional women can help you build connections you didn t previously have. Once you lay the foundation, you ll only grow stronger. 7

9 IV. Conclusion Although mentoring can seem time-consuming, it s important to remember even when our lives get busy we can always give back to help others achieve their dreams. That is, getting more people already in positions of influence actively supporting, sponsoring, and guiding women s careers as they progress through their professional journey. 8

10 About The LI Center for Business and Professional Women The LI Center for Business and Professional Women is dedicated to advancing women s equal participation, leadership and employment in business, industry and the professions through networking opportunities, member education, community involvement, and personal and professional development. In 1977, a small group of Long Island businesswomen and educators, calling themselves the 110 Center for Business and Professional Women, gathered to address the issues of male/female relations in the workplace, and, at that time, the attitude of male faculty towards female engineering students on Long Island. This new group decided that workshops and seminars on male/female business communications and conduct in the business place could fill a void and opened those new workshops to the public. The dinner meetings and workshops soon were overflowing with professional and businesswomen. The first event to honor outstanding local business and professional woman, called Salute to Long Island Women Achievers, took place in October By 1979, the LI Center For Business and Professional Women, as it is now known, was providing women with skills for leadership, knowledge for improving business through networking, and personal and professional motivation opportunities. The LI Center continues this tradition in the 21st century. Monthly dinner meetings with engaging speakers on a wide array of relevant topics to enhance networking opportunities Annual free breakfast meeting for new members to jump-start new member networking and your business vision Special events, including golf, wine tasting, and art exhibits Annual Achievers Award and dinner are celebrating and honoring women who are outstanding achievers in business and professions. 9