Is it harder for junior leaders to seek out a potential mentor or is it harder for senior leaders to find a mentee?

2016-02-24T09:47:50-05:00

Mentorship, is it harder for junior leaders to seek out a potential mentor or is it harder for senior leaders to find junior leaders to mentor? Who's responsibility is it to begin the mentorship process? Should all senior leaders aim to provide mentorship? Does a mentor have to be a senior NCO or Officer? In your opinion, within your branch of the Military, is the mentorship program working?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 24 at 2016 10:07 AM

2016-02-24T10:07:34-05:00

It doesn't have to be a 1:1 ratio.

I've commented before but I had dozens of mentors when I was a young troop. Sometimes it was 15 minute conversations. Sometimes it was 2+ year relationships.

When the Adj explains what he actually does, that's mentoring. When the Comm PSG gives a hip-pocket class, that's mentoring. When you know who to go to to ask the right question, or better yet who to send your guys to when they have a specific question, that's mentoring.

When we "formalized" the mentorship program, we did ourselves a disservice. Our immediate supervisor is always our mentor, as are our many of our peers who we interact with daily. The amount of knowledge we absorb just working around others is the goal.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Feb 24 at 2016 10:11 AM

2016-02-24T10:11:57-05:00

I don't believe mentorship can be lumped into a program. The Soldiers I was blessed with the opportunity to serve as a mentor too, sought me out, picked my brain, opinions, and used me as a sounding board for ideas and solutions to hard issues. I'm humbled and honored to have some who still keep in touch. People don't have to like you, leadership isn't about popularity it's about being fair honest, tactically / technically proficient. Some of the best leaders I had, I didn't especially like, but respected their expertise, and knew if I asked an opinion on an issue I was trying to resolve regardless of what it was they would point me in the right direction and I trusted their advise. I think its more important for leaders to be approachable than likable.

Response by SFC Craig Dalen made Feb 24 at 2016 10:25 AM

2016-02-24T10:25:50-05:00

The senior NCO should mentor everyone in his charge. A junior leader is still trying to find themselves let alone pick a mentor. We as leaders should lead by example and make it to where all junior personnel want you to be their mentor and follow your example.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 10:32 AM

2016-02-24T10:32:14-05:00

From my foxhole, I think it's harder for juniors to find and select the right mentor, as we all need them throughout our career. I believe the officer corps does this a bit better then the enlisted corps, but only a few have figured out this art .
I'm currently in the market for one, as the people around me are so overwhelmed with their day to day, that they randomly want to take on the senior NCO.
I do have people I can engage from retired "star level" CSMs to a few COLs, but typically these wells aren't as deep as needed sometime or their time is limited. As it's typically reviewing NCOERs, ERB, and more official papers affiliated with my record jacket.
This however doesn't meet what I consider a mentor to be.
So you have to define the level of mentorship first that one is requesting.
I think it's someone that can listen and help establish your short term and long term objectives and add input and how-to. Someone that can inject ideas on programs and rules that will help or hinder your ability to accomplish those goals. It's someone that can think, not just about the job or perhaps things affiliated with the job, but remember that your a person and should be viewed like that. Lastly, someone that can understand your experiences and the level of "rat race" your in. Someone that can speak to it, as not always from experience or judgment, but just by thinking and relating.

Response by BG David Fleming III made Feb 24 at 2016 10:49 AM

2016-02-24T10:49:34-05:00

Neither is hard! Your got to want it! Mentors are people you admire and want to emulate. Some of my mentors don't even know who I am, but have had a profound influence in my life! I have been a mentor to many as well. I say, gravitate to those you admire, but always be true to who you are. The rest is just sausage making (the stuff nobody really talks about, but makes a hell of a sandwich)!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 24 at 2016 11:09 AM

2016-02-24T11:09:56-05:00

I think there's a difference between those you start to mentor and those you continue to mentor. If it's sticking, it's worth both of your continued time. If not, perhaps a different match up. Neither should feel offended but some do, which can be a problem down the road. There's a pretty good shopping list of what you shouldn't be doing as a mentor (not creating another you) and receiver (don't expect a magic pill), etc. I was a senior mentor for a high end SYSCOM leadership program for some time. You're looking for the person to be much more capable down the road, hence that means you have Three Thirds the mentor and member needs to work on: skills at work, home/outside life, and themselves individually. You get the best result when all three are improved. One will always drag the other two down if not worked on.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 11:20 AM

2016-02-24T11:20:50-05:00

The onus is on the junior of the two (I guess the mentee...is that a word?). You can't go looking for someone to mentor. It doesn't work like that. I guess it can, but that means someone is walking around going, "I have all this information to share and I'm looking for a special snowflake on which to impart this knowledge." A leader should provide it to everyone in their daily business. A leader of character and commitment will continually strive to be a positive influence in the careers and lives of their subordinates. It is only after a subordinate has seen something they admire in a senior leader can the unofficial process of mentoring begin. I separate this relationship from general leadership because it is, indeed, a more intimate relationship. Usually it begins with the subordinate asking questions which are professional in nature, but are more pointed than your general passing of information. This process goes on and in time, the junior person comes to the senior person as often as they want to ask questions about the profession or to solicit advice about how to progress in their career. Sometimes, they may ask for an endorsement or intervention on their behalf in a process. It isn't something which should be sought for. It is something that should mature over time. I guess using a more formal structure could work, but it would feel like an arranged marriage. I am sure arranged marriages work out sometimes, but it has to be uncomfortable for a long time.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 11:21 AM

2016-02-24T11:21:03-05:00

I think it's equal. I've been on both sides. Sometimes, you look for advice from someone who for whatever reason doesn't want to invest the time and/or effort. Other times, I've tried and failed to relate to someone efficiently enough to give them reason to better consider my guidance.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 11:26 AM

2016-02-24T11:26:17-05:00

I can't speak for all leaders, but as a butter bar going to my first unit, I met a CPT that was new to the unit as well. He introduced himself and told me that he was going to be my mentor. I spent 6 months with him in the 3 shop before I took a platoon. Through his mentorship, I was far more prepared than I would have been without his guidance and development.

To answer your question, I don't believe that one person in particular is solely responsible for beginning the mentorship process. I believe all leaders should aim to provide mentorship to those who are hungry for it. The senior leaders in my unit always took advantage of that with LPDs, PT, luncheons, and even during counseling sessions.

Response by SGT Dorian Wolfe made Feb 24 at 2016 11:26 AM

2016-02-24T11:26:31-05:00

My leadership experience is that some junior leaders do not realize THEY should be approaching the senior leader asking for guidance and looking for a mentor. It is my responsibility as a senior leader to let the junior leaders know I am approachable and will be responsive to their issues. This includes coordinating them with a mentor with whom they may be more compatible.

Ego must be restrained by both the mentor and mentee. I have to keep reminding myself that they may not know the questions to ask or have the experience to recognize situations.

My interest and responsibility is in helping those leaders who want my help.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 1:40 PM

2016-02-24T13:40:05-05:00

I look at it like this: as an individual it is your responsibility to seek mentorship in those more experienced than yourself. And likewise, if you have applicable experiences or knowledge then it is your responsibility to pass that knowledge to your Soldiers. I don't think it has much to do with subordinates or superiors becuase as a PL, I see some of my NCOs as mentors and I'm sure a 2 star would still seek mentorship from higher. We can all learn something from each other. Learning is a never ending quest and everyone can bring something meaningful to the table.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Feb 24 at 2016 2:08 PM

2016-02-24T14:08:18-05:00

One reaction that I have to this thread is that I don't think the onus should be on senior 'mentors' to go out and find someone to be their mentee. The mentee generally should bear this responsibility IMO.

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2016 7:54 PM

2016-02-24T19:54:24-05:00

I guess I just don't understand this "problem" with mentorship. In my career(s), I've never actually sat down with someone and asked them to be my mentor. What I _HAVE_ done is look at people I admire and try to figure out how they did what they did, and then emulate it. I've learned from O-10's and E-I-O-U-1's (that's a kid getting ready to be kicked out). You take wisdom where you can find it.

As for finding someone to mentor, I've never done that either. I worked hard to help EVERYONE get ahead - whether they were E-1's or O-10's. I gave a damn about what they wanted to do, and if they asked for it, gave advice. If they were on a collision course, I even offered unsolicited advice.

I managed to retire as an E-9, and I never had a complaint from seniors, peers, or subordinates, so SOMETHING worked.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Feb 25 at 2016 3:57 AM

2016-02-25T03:57:19-05:00

I don't seek out people to become my mentor. It is just something that happens. It usually ends up being someone that I am able to open up easily to and someone that I respect their advice and their character as a leader.

Response by SPC Phillip Ludlow made Feb 25 at 2016 9:28 AM

2016-02-25T09:28:31-05:00

Honestly, I think its difficult at times for Jr's to find someone to mentor them. I mean, if a Sr. leader wanted to find a Jr., all they would have to do is walk down to the motor-pool on whatever day said leaders maintenance day is ( I.E.: Motorpool Monday's) and throw a rock in any direction. Listen for the Ouch!, And Vola! You have found someone to mentor. All jokes aside, i think the rapprochement process is the most difficult. From day one Joe is taught to steer clear of anything that has shiny on its chest, and anything with more than 3 stripes will just make you push.