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MENLO PARK, Calif., May 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The mark of a great mentor is that it's not "all about you," a Robert Half Management Resources survey suggests. Half of chief financial officers (CFOs) interviewed who have served as mentors said the chief benefit is the satisfaction that comes from helping someone else. Still, many aren't reaping the benefits of these professional relationships: More than half, 51 percent, of executives said they've never been mentors.
The survey was developed by Robert Half Management Resources, the world's premier provider of senior-level accounting and finance professionals on a project and interim basis. It was conducted by an independent research firm and includes responses from 1,400 CFOs from a stratified random sample of U.S. companies with 20 or more employees.
CFOs were asked, "Have you, at any point in your career, served as a mentor, either formally or informally?" Their responses:
|
Yes |
49% |
|
|
No |
51% |
|
|
100% |
||
Those who responded "yes" to the question above were asked, "Which one of the following do you think is the greatest benefit of being a mentor?" Their responses:
|
Provides the internal satisfaction of helping someone else |
50% |
|
|
Offers you the opportunity to improve your leadership skills |
32% |
|
|
Helps you build your professional network |
9% |
|
|
Allows you to stay current on industry trends |
8% |
|
|
No benefit |
1% |
|
|
100% |
||
"Today's workplace poses a number of challenges that even the most talented professionals struggle to address," said Paul McDonald, senior executive director of Robert Half Management Resources. "Mentors provide valuable guidance on decision-making and career management that mentees may not be able to obtain from other sources."
"Many people view mentoring less experienced workers as the right thing to do, but good mentoring programs lay the groundwork for rewarding professional relationships that can last a lifetime," he added.
McDonald offers four tips to get the most out of your mentoring experience:
- Consider your strengths. What are the most valuable things you've learned over the course of your career? Think about what you have to offer someone just starting out.
- Don't rely on a formal program. Many companies don't have established mentoring programs, and those that do may still be ramping up after scaling back during the downturn. If you identify someone you think you can help, extend the offer.
- Look beyond new grads. Professionals at all levels can benefit from having a mentor. Those trying to advance to the next level or looking to make a change might particularly welcome your advice.
- Listen. The best mentors are often the best listeners. Understand your mentee's situation and his or her greatest needs before you offer guidance. Sometimes the most valuable role you can play is that of sounding board.
About Robert Half Management Resources
Robert Half Management Resources is the premier provider of senior-level accounting and finance professionals on a project and interim basis. The company has more than 150 locations worldwide and offers online job search services at www.roberthalfmr.com. Follow Robert Half Management Resources at twitter.com/roberthalfmr for workplace news.
SOURCE Robert Half Management Resources