Human Capital Management

NRCS Mentoring Roles and Benefits

In a traditional mentoring relationship, the mentor, typically a successful and respected professional, works with the protégé, usually a less experienced but highly motivated professional, to grow and advance in the organization. The mentor shares his or her experiences and feedback with the protégé regarding technical knowledge, organizational relationships and tips for success. By passing on “lessons learned,” the mentor has the opportunity to give back to the organization, and the protégé is able to further his or her professional development.

A mentoring relationship is dynamic. As both the mentor and protégé learn from each other and grow; the relationship changes and it may become challenging at times. Mentoring success requires mentors and protégés to be open and committed to establishing a relationship built on trust, confidentiality, mutual respect and professionalism.

Mentoring can be beneficial at all career stages, from entry-level to the most senior levels of the organization. Read below to learn more about NRCS Mentoring roles and associated benefits.

Protégé

A protégé may be at any stage of his or her career, but must be committed to their own development and willing to speak candidly about his or her goals and aspirations with the mentor.

Protégé’s Role

A protégé is someone who wants to enhance his or her professional experience by learning new skills and participating in new opportunities.  A key ingredient for a protégé’s ability to enhance his or her professional experience is to be receptive to change and open up to new ways of thinking.

A successful protégé is highly motivated and shows an interest in professional and personal growth. He or she must be committed to learning from others, and open and receptive to receiving coaching and feedback.

Furthermore, a protégé should be ready to do the following:

• Take responsibility for personal growth and development

• Commit to the relationship

• Develop a vision

• Work with mentor to develop a Mentoring Plan

• Seek challenging assignments and new responsibilities

• Maintain a willingness to learn

•  Listen and be receptive to feedback and suggestions

Benefits to the Protégé

Mentoring provides significant benefits to the protégé such as:

• Improved performance due to expanded technical knowledge, expertise and skills

• Improved leadership, interpersonal and communication skills

• Greater awareness of organizational processes, relationships and culture

• Expanded organizational network and relationships

• Increased confidence, independent thinking and self-awareness of strengths and development areas

If you are interested in participating in NRCS Mentoring as a mentor or protégé, click here to learn more about how to apply.

Mentor

A mentor is an experienced employee with a specific skill or knowledge in an area that aligns with the protégé’s developmental need or interest.  The mentor serves as a role model and provides guidance and support to the protégé with his or her developmental goals.

Successful mentors show genuine interest in the needs and development of others and their organization. They have strong interpersonal skills, especially in coaching, listening, and providing feedback. Furthermore, they must be committed and have the time available to nurture their relationship with the protégés.

Mentor’s Role

The role of the mentor is to do the following:

• Share expertise

• Offer encouragement

• Motivate

• Offer challenging ideas

• Trigger self-awareness

• Support protégé in acquiring new skills and competencies

• Provide effective feedback.

Benefits to the Mentor

Mentoring can be a very rewarding experience for mentors. Benefits to the mentor include:

• Sharing of technical and organizational knowledge while gaining a fresh perspective

• Demonstrating leadership skills and utilizing interpersonal skills to teach and advise others

• Giving back to the organization for the support received from others in the past

• Intrinsic fulfillment and satisfaction by helping others and enjoying their success with them

• Building a NRCS legacy by developing the future of the organization

• Developing friendships and relationships built on trust and mutual respect

• Gaining fresh perspective and insight from the experiences of employees that are newer to NRCS.

Supervisor

The formal supervisor of the mentor and protégé also plays an important role to play in NRCS Mentoring.  While the supervisor may not serve as a formal mentor to his or her direct reports, the support and assistance provided by the mentor’s and protégé’s supervisors is critical to the success of NRCS Mentoring. 

Supervisor’s Role

Supervisors should be actively engaged in supporting NRCS Mentoring by allowing employees to take time to participate in training, meetings with their mentors or protégés, and other events.  In addition, their support is needed with securing funds and other resources for mentoring activities. 

Supervisors of participants in NRCS Mentoring will be expected to do the following:

• Make suggestions for developmental goals

• Make recommendations for improving the effectiveness of NRCS Mentoring

• Respect the confidentiality of the mentoring relationship

• Provide feedback and support to the protégé and mentor

Mentoring Coordinator

The Mentoring Coordinator plays a critical role in delivering NRCS Mentoring.  Each local area (e.g., State, Center, or Division) has identified a Mentoring Coordinator. Larger areas may identify multiple coordinators. Smaller locations may coordinate their efforts with other organizations in the same geographic area. 

Mentoring Coordinator’s Role

The Mentoring Coordinator is responsible for managing and overseeing NRCS Mentoring for their local area.  The Mentoring Coordinator’s responsibilities include the following:

• Generate interest in the program in his or her local area, and encourage employees to apply

• Work with leadership to gain supervisors’ support

• Participate in the selection and matching of mentors and protégés

• Deliver training to mentors and protégés

• Answer questions and serve as a resource to mentors and protégés as they progress through their mentoring relationships

• Troubleshoot and provide conflict resolution for pairs that may run into problems

• Conduct ongoing evaluation of the program

• Coordinate with National Mentoring Coordinator

Serving as a Mentoring Coordinator is a collateral duty that requires commitment of time and energy, but these efforts will provide immediate and long-term benefits to NRCS employees and the agency.