The term mentoring conjures up images of an older and wiser person teaching the younger person all their skills, but in this day and age that seems to have changed.

A mentor is somebody who is a little more experienced than you, who can help you achieve your own greatness, whether it be a colleague, boss or someone you admire. It happens in many organisations and walks of life either in a formally structured way or just by people helping each other.

Everyone gets stuck in their lives at one point, and just be having people around you who can help, or mentor you with a situation can be very valuable .

Mentoring is of benefit to both parties as it cultivate growth and learning. It helps develop both the mentor and the mentored, professionally and socially.

For the Mentor, some of the benefits can be:

• Obtain a greater understanding of the barriers experienced by others.
• Enhance their own skills in coaching, counseling and listening.
• Learn new perspectives and demonstrate expertise and knowledge.
• Develop and practise a different style of leadership.
• Learn new perspectives and approaches.
• Contribute something to others.
• Extend professional networks.
• A sense being recognised professionally and a sense of purpose.

For the Mentoree, the benefits can be:

• Development of potential and knowledge.
• Complements ongoing formal study and/or training and development activities.
• Give and receive feedback.
• Receive encouragement and support to achieve goals.
• Develop new networks.
• Develop new and/or different perspectives.
• Get assistance with ideas.
• Demonstrate strengths and explore potential.
• Be challenged to use talents and share expertise.

A recent survey of the 2010 state winners and finalist, Telstra business awards nominated mentoring programs for talented young women as vital for greater gender equality. Eighty-three per cent of the women surveyed said mentoring should be an essential component of a positive business culture while almost two-thirds of the women (65 per cent) said they have enjoyed the benefits of a mentor during their business careers.

So where do you find a mentor or a mentoree. There are many programs running, just do an internet search and find what is suitable for you. Ask around to family and somebody you admire in your organisation to be your mentor, or just be helping somebody else, you will become a mentor.