Why Having A Mentor Is The Key To A Successful Work Life

The working world can be a scary place especially when you are trying to find yourself. In those instances, isn't it great to have someone who just wants to see you excel?

Mentor and mentee relationships have existed for eons. Even today we can't ignore the fact that behind great leaders, there are terrific mentors. So is having a mentor intertwined with success at the workplace? We took it on ourselves to find out.

CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella with his mentor, Co-Founder of Microsoft Bill Gates.

As a huge fan of TED Talks I often see people who take to the podium and talk about their life's journeys. One thing they often talk about is how having a mentor really changed their life and made them who they are today. Add to this the following facts: Steve Jobs had Bill Campbell as a mentor; Mark Zuckerberg had Steve Jobs; and Bill Gates had Warren Buffett. That's three really great leaders who had a solid relationship with and support from their mentors.

So do all of us need mentors to succeed in the workplace and in life?

"Professional mentorships used to be the workplace norm. Now they are disappearing but are needed more than ever now. A lot of young people entering the workforce would probably be more disciplined, behave in a nuanced manner and see a fantastic career growth through advice and consultation from a mentor," Arjun Sharma, Senior Marketing Manager at a leading travel technology company, told Indiatimes.

Priyanshi Jain, a 24-year-old, freelance writer, based in New Delhi, feels it was her mentor who guided her towards success. "In order to be successful, your work needs to be great, no doubt. But, you also need to be poised, You need to know when to speak up and when to stay quiet. And that's where my mentor has helped me immensely."

Ace shutter, P.V. Sindhu with her mentor and coach, Pullela Gopichand

While no one can deny the importance of a mentor, seeking a mentor just because it guarantees success is not the right way to go about it.

You should know exactly what you are looking for from this relationship. "I was clear about how I need guidance on how to conduct myself in a workplace setting and my mentor provided just that. Maybe if my mentor overstepped and actually started to tell me how to do my work, our relationship wouldn't be that solid or rewarding," Jain explained.

And for those who are convinced they need a mentor, how do you get one?

"Like all great relationships, a mentor-mentee relationship can't be forced. It needs to be formed organically. It could be someone who helped you long back, a teacher, a professor in college, an ex-colleague whose work ethic you loved. Just know that a mentor is not your friend. You will be seeking a lot of guidance from this one person, so it has to be someone you trust," Aditi Sharma, 28, a consultant at Mckinsey told IndiaTimes.

Jayalalithaa with her long-time friend and mentor M.G. Ramachandran

And if you still can't think of someone who you know personally, you can reach out to someone who is the best in your career field.

"I was a struggling copywriter. I was looking for guidance but couldn't think of one person. I have always loved the work this one advertising agency put out and I ended up emailing their CEO to be my mentor. One email and two cups of coffee later, the CEO of a top advertising agency was my mentor, something I could never fathom happening to me. And today my career has touched new heights," Prachi Sharma, Head of Strategy at a top advertising agency based in Mumbai, told Indiatimes.

The bottom line?

Success comes to those who are willing to work for it. A mentor can guide you but can't guarantee success. But the reason why it's worth having a mentor is because it's great to have someone invested in your career, for absolutely nothing in return. Something we can't claim for other relationships in our life.

All images: Reuters