Why Women Need Mentors At Work -- And How To Find One
During her first job out of college, Ally
Sperber never went in search of a mentor. Instead, Mary Ellen, one of
the managing partners in the financial firm where both women worked,
found her.
In Sperber, Ellen saw a kindred spirit. And despite their nearly 15-year
age difference, the mentor-mentee relationship quickly blossomed into a
close friendship.
"Early on, she embraced me and really showed me the ropes," explained
Sperber, 27, who now works at a public relations firm in Los Angeles.
"She showed me basic stuff, from how to be a professional to how to
prepare for meetings. And when it came time for my next job, she even
taught me how to negotiate my pay."
A good mentor can play an important role at any stage in a woman's
career. But it's especially important during the first few years on a
job.
"Time is of the essence," cautioned Victoria Pynchon, a co-founder of
She Negotiates, a consulting firm that empowers women to stipulate
equitable pay. "There's a very narrow window of time for women to be
pulled into existing networks, especially inside corporate America."
Christine Silva, a research director at Catalyst, a nonprofit research
group that focuses on women in business, also urged women to identify
mentors as early in their careers as possible.
Silva also advises women to seek out a sponsor, whose role is different
from a mentor's. While a mentor can help an employee navigate the
nuances of office politics, a sponsor is someone who has her back when
it comes time for a promotion.
Sponsors "have to be senior enough to have a spot at the decision table
-- but they don't necessarily have to be a woman," says Silva. The
mentor doesn't need to be female, either. "It's about having a variety
of people in your corner, regardless of their gender."
"Don't pick a mentor based on their gender," Pynchon agreed. "Pick
someone because of who they are." She encourages women to develop their
own personal "board of directors": "You should align yourself with not
only who has the power, but who has the courage of their convictions and
who tells the truth."
In busy offices, many women are reticent about asking would-be mentors
for guidance. Lisa Maatz, director of public policy and government
relations at the American Association of University Women, tells women
to be upfront and clear about what they're asking.
"Don't just ask someone, 'Will you mentor me?'" said Maatz. "If you’re
asking someone to be generous with their time, realize the commitment
might sound intimidating. Be clear that it doesn't require lunch every
week or an endless chain of email."
Maatz also reminds mentees that they aren't the only beneficiaries of
mentoring relationships; it's a two-way street. "When you do it right,
it's the kind of thing that comes back to you ten-fold," says Maatz, who
is currently mentoring a young woman in her office. For the mentee, she
said, "The goal is to create an army of past and present coworkers who
care about what you've done and believe in your work."
Here are four tips for finding (and keeping) a great mentor:
1. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. The search for a mentor
should begin right away. Don't put it on your future to-do list for a
year or two from now. Especially when starting a new job, strike while
the iron is hot.
2. SECURE BOTH A MENTOR AND A SPONSOR. Look for support
at varying levels of your company's hierarchy. Seek out a mentor to
help navigate daily concerns and a sponsor willing to sing your praises
when it comes time for a raise or promotion.
3. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK. If you wait for a mentor to
seek you out, you could wait a long time. Remember, the worst your
prospective mentor can say is no. When you ask, be clear and up front
with what's required in terms of time and commitment. And don't limit
yourself to only women. Men make great mentors and great sponsors, too.
4. BE ASSERTIVE. If you want a strong and assertive
mentor, start acting that way yourself. Stride into a room. Make eye
contact. Use a firm handshake. Choose the best available seat. Stop
apologizing. And then, when the time comes, say thank you.
First Posted: 06/23/11 06:29 PM ET Updated: 08/23/11 06:12 AM ET