#Teams365 #930: New Team Leader Tip #6

One of the most important things a new team leader can do is identify a mentor who can support them not only through the initial on boarding process, but be a resource as they move forward. Mentors provide to valuable relationship for both new and experienced leaders.

Mentors can:

• Share their own stories, experiences of what’s worked and what hasn’t in their role
  
• Provide strategic, tactical insights about how work is really done in an organization
• Provide useful tips
• Help to expand insights on the work and political networks in an organization
• Expand networks
  
• Providing useful insights around priorities, networks, resources etc.
  

 
Mentors do not always need to have held the same role. In a lot of work that I undertake mentees/proteges are paired with other professionals in an organization.

Questions to consider:

• What role would you want a mentor to play?
  
• What insights are you looking for?
• Does your organization offer formal or informal mentoring opportunities?
• Who might be a potential mentor?
  

I've done a variety of posts on Mentoring over the years, as this is a major area I focus on in my work, especially through the Mentor Road Map Series of programming. Read past posts on mentoring here.

Have a great start to the week,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
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