Over the years, I have been blessed with terrific mentors that helped guide and direct my career as well as my personal life.  I am forever grateful for those that have taken the time to invest in me and in turn, I have committed to doing the same over my career for others.  Mentors play a critical role in personal and professional development and providing guidance not only provides the mentee growth along the way but can be very fulfilling for the mentor.

When I was growing up, I was fortunate to have the mentorship of my father and my high school baseball coach.  Both stressed the need for self-discipline and instilled an ambitious drive in me.  To this day, I reflect on their teachings and can still hear my baseball coach yelling in my ear, “Matthews, you need to have intestinal fortitude to succeed”!  My father encouraged and gave me the confidence to become an entrepreneur by stating repeatedly, “don’t be afraid of venturing into the abyss.”

In my professional corporate roles, I owe a debt of gratitude to my two bosses that I had at the Clark convenience store chain, for what I became in my career. I was a "marketing guy" when I arrived and through their consistent confidence in my abilities, they expanded my business acumen -- in both breadth and depth -- to include merchandising, real estate, IT, capital and facilities management. Many of the projects I have been involved with at own company, Gray Cat Enterprises, incorporate some or all these disciplines.

Here are key reasons why mentors matter:

Guidance, Wisdom & Skill Development:  When I was in my corporate role, I remember I had a former administrative assistant join my team and I brought her into the marketing team.  Over the next several years, I shared my experiences, insights, and lessons learned with her and combined with her unsurpassed work ethic, she not only became a key member of the marketing team but become the Director.  Eventually, she was pursued for a VP-level role at a new company, and she moved on.  One of my VP-level peers said to me at that time, “Matthews, that was some of your best work in transforming an admin into a VP.”  A proud moment for all.

Confidence Building:  Mentorship helps to mold and encourage mentees’ abilities.  Much like how my father told me to venture into the unknown, mentors can help build self-awareness and self-assurance.  They can help set realistic goals, staying focused not only in the short-term tasks but the longer targets as well.  I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous when my two bosses at Clark assigned the facilities department to me, but they were both very supportive of my abilities and that gave me the runway to eventually excel at leading that team.  Mentors provide the shoulder to lean upon.

Networking and Opportunities:  For those that know me, they can attest that I have a very large network of both professional contacts and personal relationships.  I have built this network over decades, and I am more than happy to provide inroads to others for introductions and references that can advance a career.  Once again, my father spoke to me often about the adage, “It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know” and a robust network is a door opener.  Mentors can often provide “quantum leap” that is often needed to gain the attention of another professional that has a career opportunity.

Accountability and Goal Setting:  One of the challenges for starting a career is developing realistic goals and staying focused to achieve them.  Mentors can provide a steadying influence over expectations – i.e., not everyone will turn out to be a VP – and can provide an experienced sounding board throughout the crossroads of a career.  But this isn’t a one-way street.  Having a mentor means that you are going to be asked to commit to following through on goals to achieve growth.  A mentor should hold you accountable for your commitments and provide encouragement along the way.

Perspective and Objectivity:  One of the most rewarding aspects of what I do at Gray Cat is that I have worked with several different companies (clients) in a variety of capacities.  What this provides me is exclusive insights into several different operating models and cultures.  As a mentor, it allows me to offer an outside view that can challenge assumptions of the status quo.  Not all business is conducted in the same fashion and this broad exposure can generate ideas and options for the mentee.

I was lucky to have great mentors throughout my life – starting personally and continuing through my professional career.  Having a guiding force not only challenged me early on but continues to do so today.  I have always remembered that and made a conscience effort to become one of those senior leaders that gives back and helps shapes the future.  Mentors accelerate growth, deepen learning, and strengthen organizations. Be a catalyst for success – be a mentor.

Want more ideas?  For more information on Gray Cat Learning Series, visit: https://www.graycatenterprises.com/gray-cat-learning-series