Why mentoring is the ideal solution for developing managerial skills and boosting careers
The world of work is increasingly complex and evolving at high speed. In this context, the figure of the manager is increasingly central.
A professional whose value, alongside technical competencies — the so-called hard skills — will increasingly be determined by relational, communication and management abilities, commonly known as soft skills.
The challenge for organizations is clear: to develop managers who are attentive and empathetic, capable of building quality relationships, communicating clearly, and inspiring and empowering people.
In this context, it is essential to choose the growth path best suited to developing leadership capable of facing the complexities of the future.
If you are an HR manager, you are probably wondering which is the best solution.
The market offers many managerial development paths: how do you identify the right one? Why is mentoring the ideal solution for development?
We will answer these and other questions on the topic in this article.
Mentoring and managerial training courses: what are the differences?
When companies address managerial development, they often turn to traditional training courses, MBAs (Master in Business Administration), or coaching paths.
MBAs are programs characterized by an academic and theoretical approach, highly structured and standardized around business economics and management topics.
Coaching, on the other hand, is a methodology focused on a short-term goal or a specific area, through the relationship between coach and coachee, generally not aimed at increasing specific skills but more at building awareness and shaping managerial approach.
Mentoring, finally, is based on a personalized approach adaptable to people’s needs, who are supported throughout the entire program through engagement with experienced managers on topics of managerial skills development, in building a valuable network, and in consolidating their own professional path.
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Business growth strategies: the benefits of mentoring
The benefits of mentoring do not concern individuals alone, but extend to the entire organization.
A recent Gartner study states that companies with well-structured mentoring programs have 25% higher employee retention compared to companies that do not adopt this type of initiative.
Research conducted by Deloitte shows that companies with effective mentoring programs are 46% more likely, compared to others, to grow prepared leaders capable of facing future challenges.
In addition, mentoring programs can increase minority representation in leadership positions by 38%, according to a Harvard Business Review study.
The benefits of mentoring are therefore clear, not only at the individual level, but for the growth of the entire organization. Mentoring, in fact:
- improves employee retention;
- helps develop skills;
- facilitates professional and personal growth;
- enhances talent;
- promotes diversity;
- supports career moves or role changes.
Launching mentoring programs is a genuine business strategy that can also deliver competitive advantages at the business level.
Managerial training and mentoring: the importance of matching
Mentoring activity is built around the relationship between two figures: the mentor, the more experienced manager, and the mentee, the person whose goal is development and growth.
Unlike standardized corporate training courses, mentoring is based on a careful analysis of the people involved: throughout the program, mentor and mentee meet and engage with each other continuously; for this reason, without an affinity of values, interests and personal and professional characteristics, a mentoring program cannot be effective.
Effective matching between mentor and mentee must therefore take into account:
- motivations;
- goals;
- personal aspirations;
- needs;
- past experience;
- personality styles;
- values
- strengths.
Shape: Methodos’s solution for managers who want to grow and help their company grow
To address these challenges, at Methodos we have developed Shape, a mentoring program that has been structured and refined over the years. Shape is an international, cross-company program that promotes exchange and transparency through an approach that includes, within a single program:
- the involvement of multiple companies, with mentors and mentees from prestigious organizations across different sectors, to foster relationship-building, the sharing of experiences and the gathering of new perspectives;
- the involvement of a third-party professional, a tutor, who can guide and support each mentor-mentee pair at key moments in the program, offering suggestions and resolving issues.
This is the approach that has always characterized us at Methodos: building a structured path that can support people and organizations through change via listening, the involvement of managers and staff, and monitoring and measurement of results.
Want to find out more about Shape? Book an in-depth call with our team.