What is a mentor? Depending on your generation, the answer to this question will vary. For Boomers, mentors are those older, more-experienced folks who could guide your career path by providing direction, sound advice and networking connections. But as Gen-Xers advanced in the workplace during the onset of the digital age, mentoring took on a whole new feel. It became a shared exchange of knowledge among workers to understand the nuances of new technology. There were blurred lines between mentors and mentees because digital natives possessed a sought-after skill set that filled a much-needed gap.

Fast forward to mentoring today. It remains a relevant part of professional life, but the traditional mentoring roles have given way to a symbiotic relationship. The playing field has equalized, spotlighting skill sets and positive organizational culture. Mentoring now has a new look that encompasses personal and professional growth.

The Valuable Role Of Mentoring

Mentorship programs are vital because, with five generations in the workplace, tapping into the strengths of your organization’s talent pool achieves two goals: embracing personal talents and improving your bottom line. Let's face it—we're still dealing with lingering effects of the pandemic and the mess that came with it, like the Great Resignation and quiet quitting. Data from McKinsey and Company shows that 32% of workers are mildly disengaged, and as most leaders know, that attitude can spread like wildfire.

Reengaging your team is a deliberate effort. It won’t happen in a vacuum. Developing a mentorship plan can yield greater productivity, motivation and culture, as well as better hiring and retention rates. This is likely why "84% of U.S. Fortune 500 companies have mentoring programs."

In fact, strategically developing mentoring programs is a way to combat issues like employee burnout, retention and talent acquisition. And it appears to be working. According to recent figures from Wisdom Share, 91% of employees with mentors are happy at work. That speaks volumes.

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