Mentoring: Unlocking Growth and Making a Lasting Impact

Summary: Becoming a mentor can be one of the most rewarding roles you take on. It’s all about building genuine connections that help both you and your mentee grow, both personally and professionally. Learn the key benefits of becoming a mentor, and be inspired by Mutual of Omaha golf ambassador Annika Sörenstam’s story of leading a foundation that mentors aspiring female golfers.

In this article:

• 5 reasons being a mentor benefits you
• Giving back through mentoring: Annika’s story
• Becoming a mentor
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Mentoring is more than just sharing advice or providing guidance. It’s about forging meaningful connections that inspire growth for both mentor and mentee. By stepping into the role of a mentor, you have the unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on another person’s life, while discovering new perspectives that can enrich your own journey.

Discover how mentoring relationships can help you find purpose, build stronger connections and foster personal and professional growth. And learn how Mutual of Omaha golf ambassador Annika Sörenstam goes out of her way to mentor up-and-coming female golfers, sharing her time and wisdom to help them reach their full potential.

5 reasons being a mentor benefits you

The benefits of being a mentor extend well beyond professional development, touching on emotional fulfillment, enhanced communication skills and a stronger sense of community.

While you’re guiding others, you’re also opening yourself up to new challenges and opportunities for personal growth. By investing your time and attention, you form bonds that can turn into long-lasting relationships, paving the way for deeper understanding and shared achievement.

Here are five reasons why becoming a mentor can be meaningful for you:

• Rediscover your purpose and meaning — Each time you share experiences and skills with a mentee, you reinforce value in your own life.
• Helps you gain new perspectives — Broaden your horizons by working with others, especially younger generations. This can help you gain fresh perspectives while keeping your mind engaged.
• Enhances your interpersonal skills — Mentoring emphasizes communication and listening skills, two key traits valuable in all areas of life.
• Creates a lasting legacy — The knowledge you share with your mentee extends your impact beyond your immediate inner circle and can help that person for years to come.
• Expands your network — Through your relationship with your mentee, you’ve opened the door to a whole new network of individuals who may share similar values or goals.

Mentees get a lot out of having a mentor. They have someone in their corner who can help them pick up important skills more quickly, introduce them to new people, boost their confidence and keep them on track with clear goals and support.

Sadie Dooley, a work-life program consultant at Mutual of Omaha, shared a story about a co-worker whose life was truly transformed by having a mentor. She remembered how having someone to turn to and rely on made a huge difference, not just at work, but in the co-worker’s personal life.

“This co-worker was facing multiple challenges at the same time and needed more than coaching, he needed connection and support,” she said. “By getting paired with a mentor, he found someone he could trust and lean on for guidance. A year later he’d earned a promotion, was far more confident and was in a completely different place than before his mentorship. It was a powerful reminder of how meaningful mentoring can be.”

Giving back through mentoring: Annika’s story

Annika is the most accomplished female golfer ever. She’s won 97 tournaments worldwide, including 72 wins on the LPGA Tour, and claimed 10 major championships. Her list of accolades could go on and on, but one she’s most proud of now is being a mentor to women striving to join the pro ranks.

As her professional golf career was winding down, Annika knew she wanted to give back to the game that gave her so much. So, in 2007 she started the ANNIKA Foundation, whose mission statement is “to develop, empower and advance young women around the world through golf and in life.”

“The mentoring we provide isn’t just about golf, it’s about giving them confidence and a chance to meet other young female golfers with similar interests,” Annika said. “We want to teach them real-world examples — financial support, social media education, fitness tips — things that will help with their future decisions.”

Annika leaned on her own experiences. She got a lot of support from her parents. She also gained knowledge and insight from people she met throughout her career, observing how they conducted themselves on and off the course.

“Having a mentor is important for a lot of reasons,” she said. “It’s great to have somebody to turn to, somebody that you trust, somebody that has experience and someone who will be an inspiration.”

Annika’s foundation has helped hundreds of up-and-coming female golfers start their professional journey on the right foot. Her own commitment to sharing her experiences serves as a powerful example, and her mentorship not only provides practical advice but also instills the belief that with guidance and support, achieving their dreams is possible.

“The lessons I learned through the years, through success and failure, I’ve taken into my life now, whether it’s parenting, being an entrepreneur or philanthropist or even just learning myself,” Annika said.

Becoming a mentor

Mentoring allows you to make a lasting positive impact. With a clear understanding of the benefits and some uplifting examples of how mentoring can empower others, how can you get started?

Check with your workplace. Many organizations create structures that make mentoring more accessible, from formal matching programs to leadership-sponsored initiatives that encourage cross-department connections.

If your employer doesn’t have a mentoring program, search for mentoring opportunities in your community by signing up to become a mentor.

Setting goals

You’ll also want to be prepared going into your mentoring opportunity. If you want to stay on track and really see how you’re doing, it helps to set SMART goals* — they give you a clear plan and make it easier to measure your progress along the way. The SMART goals are:

• Specific — Your mentoring goal should be easily identifiable. Make sure you and your mentee both understand exactly what you want to achieve together.
• Measurable — The goal should also be quantifiable, such as monitoring progress by the number of meetings, completed tasks or skills learned.
• Achievable — Set a goal that can be easily accomplished, taking into account the mentee’s availability, skills and knowledge.
• Relevant — Help guide the mentee in an area that benefits them, whether it’s their profession or a volunteer opportunity in the community.
• Time-bound — Set expectations for when the mentee should complete specific goals. It helps you and them stay on track and avoid being overwhelmed.

Are you retired or nearing retirement? Discover how mentoring can play a role in enhancing your retirement experience.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are the types of mentoring relationships?

Mentoring doesn’t have to be done one-on-one, which is the most traditional method. It can also be done in a group format, virtually, peer-to-peer or even reverse mentoring. Find the format you’re most comfortable with and let your passion for mentoring rub off on those around you.

What are the three C’s of effective mentoring?

Successful and effective mentoring programs revolved around three C’s — clarity, communication and commitment. By embracing the three C’s, mentors and mentees establish a strong framework that fosters growth, trust and lasting impact within their relationship. These foundational qualities encourage a common understanding and set the stage for meaningful progress throughout the mentoring journey.

What qualities make someone an effective mentor?

An effective mentor demonstrates active listening, empathy and a genuine interest in supporting their mentee’s growth. They offer constructive feedback, share relevant experiences and encourage independent thinking rather than simply providing answers. By being approachable and maintaining confidentiality, mentors build trust and help the mentee learn skills to help them get ahead in life.

Sources:

*Together, Inc., 6 Tips for Setting and Achieving Your Mentoring Goals, accessed Dec. 2025, togetherplatform.com/blog/tips-for-setting-and-achieving-mentoring-goals

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