The reason for the disparity may be that there is a perception that employees should take initiative and responsibility for their career development and that performance reviews and feedback from management should point employees in the right direction. However, this perception could indicate a misunderstanding of the nature of mentorships,which is altogether different from the relationships employees have with management.
So, what is mentorship, and why is it considered to be important? A mentor is someone who acts as an advisor and offers support to someoneless experienced. It is well-recognized that receiving feedback can be challenging for many individuals. In addition, assessing whether the person providing the feedback has genuine intentions can create uncertainty.Therefore, it is importantto have an objective mentor and an advocate for one’s growth and development.Mentorship relationships lead to increased self-awareness, adaptability, teamwork, and improved communication. According to Greta Grobler, an independent registered social worker and facilitator on the South Africa Wine Cellar Assistants’ Programme, it is noticeable that cellar assistants’ confidence improves when participating in a mentorship programme.It is known that employees who have mentors experience increased job satisfaction, stronger commitment, and increased chances of promotions.
One of the benefits of mentorship is to teach the mentee to set goals. The mentor can assist the menteeto define what these goals may be, and by defining goals, mentors provide the motivation needed for mentees to attain their goals.
Mentorship programmes help cellars identify and cultivate potential leaders, and by assisting mentees, mentors support the development of future leaders. Several participating cellars in the Cellar Assistants’ Programme have successfully established leaders and role models through mentoring relationships and programmes. It is also known that mentorship helps to develop close bonds and relationships, which lead to developing mutual trust and respect and to creating a more positive work environment for all employees. Cellars reported that establishing informal mentoring relationships with cellar assistants resulted inthe transfer of knowledge in the cellar, with a consequentincrease in productivity and an improved quality of work delivered. Informal mentoring plays a significant role in professional development, with many individuals recognizing its impact on their progress.Greta confirms thatmentoring allows people to learn from one another, providing a path to personal and professional growth.
Mentoring programs can serve various objectives, including enhancing performance, developing leadership skills, and preparing team members for greater responsibilities and challenges.It can ensure sound leadership development, improve knowledge transfer, and establish a strong company culture.It also serves as confirmation to employees that management is willing to invest in its employees.
Therefore, mentoring has proved to be one of the most valuable and effective development opportunities that cellars can offer employees. Successful mentoring programmes can bring transformational results by increasing the productivity of employees and reducing critical mistakes that could lead to a loss for the cellar. The advantages of mentoring programmes outweigh all considerations and extend to all involved in the cellar.
It is indisputable that mentoring offers significant advantages to mentors, mentees, and the organization. However, even the most well-designed programmes and resolute participants may face certain challenges. A mentoring programme can quickly go astray unless it is based on a shared, common goal. Whatever one’s goal, one needs to outline it to bring mentors and mentees together in a way that will achieve the impact a career requires. Unrealistic expectations can harm a mentoring relationship, for example,overloading the mentee with information. A mentee may rely too heavily on the mentor’s approval, and a lack of commitment on the part of one of the parties can cause problems.
Besides the personal satisfaction of sharing knowledge and skills with mentees, mentors also benefit from mentoring programmes. Mentors could improve their organizational skills and learn to share information more clearly, but the most valuable benefit is to guide someone else to grow personally and professionally. Lending a hand can be gratifying and meaningful, and mentoring can be deeply rewarding on a personal level. Mentors often find satisfaction in helping others grow and achieve their goals, and making a positive impact on someone’s life can be immensely fulfilling.
For more information about the South Africa Wine Cellar Assistants’ Programme, please contact Santi Basson at santib@mweb.co.za or 072 299 8186.