Here at the Rescue Mission we are striving towards a healthy leadership culture where leaders at all levels of the organization are getting experience and training to run effective organizations in the future. Why? Because non-profits needs more GREAT leaders and the more leaders we produce here the better the world will be. To my great encouragement we have several leaders in our organization who will in my estimation will make great CEO’s and Executive Directors in the near future. With that in mind, for the next few weeks I’m going to focus on 10 behaviors which are key to creating healthy leadership cultures. It will certainly be something we talk about and try to example within the Rescue Mission, but I am sure it will encourage others as well.
There are some behaviors which are characteristics of healthy leadership cultures which are openly discouraged in the majority of organizations because they are either seen as anarchical or at best a waste of time. Yet to have a healthy leadership culture you need these same key behaviors accepted, and even promoted. The first week the subject was Questions, week two was strategy and if/then scenarios.
This week we will focus on the importance of Mentoring.
Sometimes it’s easier to view the value of a behavior by identifying it’s opposite behaviors, so it is with mentorship. People often talk about mentorship, but it’s value is not always understood. In unhealthy work cultures you will find these attitudes and behaviors in abundance:
Every man for himself
Undercutting other performers
Hoarding information
Spreading rumors
Using seniority to hold down younger teammates.
Giving subordinates meaningless tasks
Yelling at and belittling subordinates
and more
A mentorship culture is the opposite of these behaviors. Mentorship raises up the value of experience and the value of younger teammates at the same time. It promotes a generous spirit throughout the organization and allows for a smooth transfer of information, expertise, and continuity.
At the Rescue Mission I encourage all of our Directors to be leading and mentoring other leaders, within the organization or outside of the Rescue Mission, so that they can be generously sharing their expertise and benefiting from mentorship.
Personally, I have had mentors all of my adult life, people I can call for advice, wisdom, and insight. These are always people I enjoy and respect, and that have skill set in different areas than my own, or beyond my own. Likewise I always have people in my life that I am trying to encourage and promote. It’s good for the spirit and helpful for everyone.
Promote mentorship, whether formal or informal, in your organization and you’ll be helping to create a healthier organizational culture.
Do you have mentor? Have you had others mentor, teach, instruct you? If so, what did you learn from them? Do you mentor others?
Share your ideas and thoughts.
David Curry
