‘Many fail to understand what mentorship is and how much there is to gain,’ says COO Edmond Bonett

Chief Operating Officer (COO) Edmond Bonett has highlighted that despite mentorship’s increase prominence in the business space, there are still a number of professionals who still fail to recognise its benefits.

Mentorship is defined by the Cambridge Dictionary as “the activity of giving a younger or less experienced person help and advice over a period of time, especially at work or school.”

Within an organisational setting, a good mentor can have a positive influence on the personal and professional growth of a mentee. It can help elevate one’s career and steer an organisation towards success.

Mr Bonett, a seasoned management professional and COO at Corinthia Caterers, on Friday acknowledged that his past experiences as a mentor have proven to be some of the most memorable moments in his career.

“For me personally, being a mentor has been and is one of the most, if not the most rewarding aspect throughout my professional life and years of experience dealing with and managing people of different ages, backgrounds, nations and cultures,” he said.

He remarked that while it may be “natural to some, not so much to others,” having the personal satisfaction to serve as a mentor is a gift.

“It is also true that unfortunately, up until this very day in 2024, we still have a number of professionals who fail to actually understand what mentorship is all about and how much there is to gain at both ends, one of those typical win-win situations,” Mr Bonett continued.

He added that the fruits of mentoring could be seen immediately, yet sometimes, they may be more long term.

However, everyone stands to benefit from the mentorship process. Mentees learn the skills and trade from their mentors, who in turn will be able to better understand different roles, learn more about their team, and also improve their communication skills. Businesses that foster a mentorship culture will also benefit from a skilled and engaged workforce.

Mr Bonett acknowledged that the mentorship process does undoubtedly come with its fair share of ups and downs, together with a sense of responsibility, confidentiality, being truthful, realistic, and challenging. It also requires mentors to sometimes be in a situation where they have to say something a mentee may not want to hear at that point in time, “however needed it might be, which is not for everyone.”

“Simply put, mentorship is beautiful, especially if it’s genuine and having both parties in the right frame of mind,” he continued.

He affirmed that in order for mentorship to be effective, the needs, strengths, threats and potential need to be identified. Additionally, there also has to be a focusing on empathy, respect, reflection, commitment, and also trust.

At the end of the day, everyone can benefit from being mentored at the workplace, whether it is a long-serving manager or a recently appointed employee. Sometimes, even the most successful individuals may need a helping hand or a few words of advice.

For tips on how businesses can create a workplace environment that encourages mentoring, click here.