The value of mentoring for a tourism business
“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.”
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a learning relationship, generally focused on career development. The purpose is to drive personal growth; building skills, knowledge and understanding. Usually the mentor role is wider than that of a coach and may include opening doors, making connections and sharing experiences. - Art of Mentoring
After the turbulence of the past few years now is a better time than any for tourism and event operators to tap into the expertise of a mentor.
Mentoring to develop transformational experiences
Linda has recently been mentoring a whole range of tourism business owners and event organisers through two programs:
Tourism & Events Queensland’s Transformational Experiences Mentoring Program - Linda supported mentees across Southern Queensland Country.
Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s Best of Brisbane Region’s Experiences Support Program, a program that Linda developed with our colleague Jayne of JJ Strategic Consulting; and Linda supported mentees in Logan, south of Brisbane.
Mentees have included museums, a wake park, distillery, a tea house, accommodations of all kinds, tours, eateries, a school adventure camp, a cheesery, and running festivals.
Choosing a mentor
A mentor doesn’t have to be an industry expert. Your mentor could be a colleague, a business associate or a friend who can inspire you and encourage you to strive for your goals and challenge yourself.
Tourism & Events Queensland identifies these qualities of a great mentor.
They actively listen, asking questions to explore issues
They establish trust and mutual respect and appreciation to support a ‘safe place’ to be vulnerable
They are willing to learn from their mentees as well as share their knowledge and insights
They provide constructive feedback, and a different vantage point, that is empowering
They are empathetic and compassionate
They are enthusiastic about seeing their mentee’s success
Benefits of mentoring to businesses
A mentor can help you
Grow your professional skills and gain new perspectives while working towards future business goals
Expand your networks, both personally and professionally
Fast track achievement of your goals – it’s amazing what accountability does!
Open your mind to new opportunities by providing inspiration – mentors bring their experiences and can connect you with other businesses and operators who can offer unexpected opportunities
Be challenged! We all need a challenge and something fresh to help motivate and push us.
Make a lifelong friend – this intensive and intimate style training means that you can really connect with the mentor and often find yourself with a lifelong friend and mentor
How to maximise outcomes
To me, mentoring is a great process of staying accountable and being reassured that what you are doing is valuable and leading you to the end goals that you have.
Mentoring is not designed to be easy but if mentees put in the effort and have an open mind they will get the most out of the relationship.
My tips:
Set aside the time up front to be prepared for all mentoring sessions
Do any follow up work and homework in between sessions
Respect your mentor
Read our other mentoring articles
Mentoring tourism businesses on how to deliver exceptional experiences
Over to you
Have you used a mentor? Have you been a mentor?
What did you get of value from the experience?
Please share in the comments below