Benefits and Limitations
It is obviously hoped that the benefits of being involved in such a program outweigh the limitations. As stated in the title of this section, these are the potential benefits and limitations and should by no means be considered an exhaustive list. We want this relationship to be successful and gratifying. The intent in showing the anticipated benefits and limitations is for the participants to avoid any unnecessary pitfalls in the relationship.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS:
Mentors
- Develop career coaching skills, and learn how to provide career strategy advice.
- Become more sensitive to the developmental needs of new/potential HR professionals.
- Gain insight into perspectives and attitudes of employees.
- Increases your status and reputation.
- Opportunity to rejuvenate!
- Encourages creativity and innovation in management.
- Influence the development of students in the profession.
- Build a network of new contacts.
- Volunteer work that MAY qualify for CHRP points.
Protégés
- Develop career goals and establish career path.
- Gain new skills and knowledge to better compete for HR positions.
- Acquire insight regarding different HR positions in the field.
- Learn from a role model.
- Increases status and reputation.
- Motivates protégé to succeed.
- Learn about a new industry, business model and the inside workings of the Canadian corporate culture.
- Opportunity to educate the mentor about latest trends, research and concerns of new HR workers.
- Improves communication skills.
- Build a network of new contacts.
POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS:
Mentors
- Personality mismatch.
- Lack of time (mentors).
- Does not replace responsibilities for mentoring in own workplace environment.
Protégés
- Mentor does not meet expectations as role model.
- Work of the mentor may be too specialized.
- Requires an investment in time which may not always be available.
- No guarantees the relationship will fulfill professional career goals given the responsibilities of the mentor in their own workplaces.