5 Sustainable Benefits of Mentoring in the Heritage Sector | National Mentoring Month

For National Mentoring Month, we gathered five key ways that mentoring in the workplace is highly beneficial and builds sustainability and spoke to Elizabeth Neathey, Head of Workforce Inclusion. At Culture Syndicates, the expertise and knowledge of our team is one of our most valuable resources.

1. It increases motivation and builds employability

• Mentoring programs boost promotion and retention from 15% to 38% for women and minorities. [1]
• 'Students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class.' [2]
• 'Young adults who face an opportunity gap but have a mentor are 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.' [3]

2. Reverse mentoring and mutual development

Elizabeth: Mentoring has a range of benefits for mentors. It is a way of understanding current needs of emerging professionals. Our sector is growing and changing. Mid career and senior professionals have practical skills and knowledge however with changes comes a need to review and re-evaluate. For example, through reverse mentoring sector entrants are able to mentor existing professionals on new approaches. I am experiencing reverse mentoring with our Marketing Assistant. She brings a wealth of experience on social media, which is helping me to be more involved in the process. Equally for mentors there is satisfaction in supporting the sector to grow its talent pipeline which is vital to ensure the value of culture is continually recognised.

• '89% of those mentored, go on to mentor themselves contributing to a culture of learning and mentoring.' [4] 

Elizabeth: I find this figure really reassuring, demonstrating the value of mentoring. It is an open process of sharing and supporting each other to share knowledge. We all have knowledge which we have developed and can share which is a natural process. I can really appreciate anyone who has benefited from mentoring going to share their experiences, knowledge and skills. Through my experience of being mentored I have had opportunities to engage with a wide range of people through one of sessions and on an ongoing basis to help them to reflect, review and refine their approaches to achieve their outcomes.

 

3. Mentoring in the heritage sector requires a hands on approach

Elizabeth: I believe the fundamental principles of mentoring which focuses on sharing experience and knowledge is universal. Where it could be different for the heritage and cultural sector is the method. Some skills, such as object handling and packing, I believe are best taught through a hands on approach supported by conversations to embed the theory behind what good practice is.

4. It builds employability

Elizabeth: Mentoring provides practical and effective support for emerging talent to grow. It is important for existing professionals to be able to review their skills and knowledge to enable them to continue in their development and support the sector’s. Through the formal and informal conversations which take place between people we can encourage new talent to explore and engage with culture, giving them the opportunity to shape the future.

5. Sustainability goals and mentorship intersect

Elizabeth: Here at Culture Syndicates our mission is to support emerging professionals to gain skills and knowledge from which they will build their cultural career. Focusing on our sustainability and that of the sector means the principles of talent development are based on strong foundations. Sustainability takes many forms, environmental, business delivery, audience engagement, workforce development and much more. If we talk openly about sustainability as part of mentoring conversations we can support our sector to grow in a responsible and resilient way, enabling the new talent of today to be the sector leaders tomorrow. They will intrinsically embed sustainability throughout their work and support the new talent to grow, explore and deliver on these strong principles.

Get in touch
As you can see, mentoring is the building block for all aspects of Culture Syndicate’s delivery. The difference is incredible and there is so much learning to share which will support a sustainable and resilient cultural sector. If you are interested in mentorship opportunities with Culture Syndicates, please do get in touch with us at admin@culturesyndicates.co.uk. 

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[1] Naz Beheshti, 2019. Improve Workplace Culture With A Strong Mentoring Program [online]. Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nazbeheshti/2019/01/23/improve-workplace-culture-with-a-strong-mentoring-program/?sh=580004ad76b5 [accessed December 6, 2021].

[2] Awareness Days, 2021. National Mentoring Month 2021. [online]. Available at: https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-mentoring-month-2021/ [accessed December 6, 2021].

[3] Awareness Days, 2021. National Mentoring Month 2021. [online]. Available at: https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-mentoring-month-2021/ [accessed December 6, 2021].

[4] McCarthy Mentoring, 2017. Why mentoring: what the stats say [online]. Available at: https://mccarthymentoring.com/why-mentoring-what-the-stats-say/ [accessed December 6, 2021].