To be successful in any field, aspiring leaders require role models and guidance. Strong leadership skills are often attributed to strong mentors; leaders who help show others how to lead. Junior executives and young professionals can typically undervalue the important role of a mentor in their careers, but leadership is still more frequently learned by practice than by theory. Mentors can help cultivate leadership skills, one-on-one in real-time, reduce anxiety in taking big steps, and focus young potential leaders on achieving their goals. Mentors are essential to career success, and with the right mentor the experience can be an informal education. A research study by Sun Microsystems reported that both mentors and their protégés get promoted faster, and enjoy more salary increases than those who do not receive mentoring.

The career path of a graduate or young professional is often shaped in the early years out of school. The opportunity to demonstrate their leadership potential is crucial during this early stage of their career. In life, different perspectives are always important, and while peers and colleagues can provide good insights, the role of a mentor who can relate different leadership experiences, who has experience in a vast array of situations, as well as, making difficult decisions, is critical to a young professional’s career. One strength common to great leaders is the ability to process multiple points of view and listen to all sides in an argument or proposal. One of the best ways to attain such a skill is from watching and learning.

At naisA Global our Mentor-Protégé Program is designed with the most ambitious and highly talented young professionals in mind. We match elite leaders with young professionals and students looking to shape their careers. As a key service, we provide our members a platform to connect with one of our naisA Global experts who will guide and mentor the protégé on a monthly basis. Through various telecommunications and social networking means mentors will have the opportunity to advise, motivate and encourage our members, while also benefiting by attracting some of the best young talent to their businesses.

The importance of having someone there to guide, advise, and talk freely with, can only be an asset to a young professional whose ultimate goal is to become a great leader.