Have you ever had a mentor? Across two recent ITM events I asked 600 travel industry professionals if they had, and half of them said no.

Mentoring enriches both the mentee and mentor through the sharing of perspectives and embarking on a mutual journey that is immensely rewarding and can be transformational.

With sincere thanks to all the passionate mentors and mentees I’ve had the good fortune to learn from, here are some guiding principles that may support a successful mentoring experience:

First, matching with the right person is critical and expectations on both sides must be committed to, with clear goals. Some companies offer their people organised schemes, but mentoring can be most successful when it’s instigated by the individuals concerned. Securing a mentor in an external organisation or environment opens up the scope and can be a revelation.

Second, the process must be confidential and selflessly motivated. A safe space should be created where ideas can be explored, skills practiced and confidence built. This dynamic is essential and underpins the privilege of mentoring.

“Mentoring enriches both the mentee and mentor through the sharing of perspectives”

Third, areas of focus can be varied, but should not stray into simply helping someone do their job. Mentoring is quite different to managing, coaching, training or sponsorship. Helping to expand the mentee’s network is great, is a fringe benefit rather than the primary aim.

Fourth, mentoring can be either highly structured and formal or entirely informal. Some of the most game changing mentorship I received came in the form of a single question, delivered in the right way, at the right time, that made me rethink my entire frame of reference.

How should you start the journey?

Take control of your self and career development. Identify someone you think may be willing to mentor you. It’s truly a humbling and beautiful thing to be asked to do.

itm.org.uk