Mentoring could be your most important role...

by Kathie Niesen, CMP

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In my many years of association management, I always considered my most important role to be a manager of people and a mentor. There is no greater challenge than supervising people and no greater reward than when they display the same principles and integrity that you sought to instill.
 
It doesn’t always work out that way, for one reason or another things can go wrong but when then there are those special employees that do exactly what you had hoped they would.  They learn, absorb and even mimic the best practices they observe in you.
 
Performance reviews, can be painful but take them seriously and ensure that your comments will help them grow in their job and in the organization.  Best honest along the way too, an employee should never be surprised by something in the annual review.
 
And don’t forget those who don’t directly report to you, your knowledge and actions are observed and you can be an example to those who are not your direct reports. Always do what you say.
 
Learn as much as you teach. Everybody has gifts and knowledge that you don’t have. My past employees have taught me countless lessons.
 
I read a post on facebook  yesterday that said, “Treat employees like they make a difference and they will.” So very true.
 
If you are a manager of people relish the experience and strive to set an example of integrity and respect that your employees will want to emulate. If you don’t manage a staff you can still be a mentor to colleagues, friends and those coming up in the industry. It’s a rewarding experience that you won’t forget
 
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