In a world that often feels focused on individual achievement, it’s inspiring to see so many people willingly share their time and knowledge to help others succeed. Mentoring is a powerful relationship that can change the trajectory of someone’s life, but what motivates a person to take on this role?
If you have been following our Mentor Profiles Project, you will no doubt be aware that the reasons are as varied as the mentors themselves. From a simple desire to give back, to a strategic move for career advancement, and many more motivations in between which can often overlap. So let’s take a look at some of the diverse driving factors behind why people become mentors- and the surprising range of benefits they gain in return.
The Driving Forces Behind Mentorship
The motivation to mentor can vary widely from person to person. For some, it’s about wanting to genuinely connect with and support others. They find joy and fulfilment in seeing someone else grow and achieve their goals. It’s a reciprocal relationship, where the simple act of providing a listening ear, offering encouragement, or sharing a hard-won lesson can be incredibly rewarding. This human connection, the feeling of making a tangible difference in someone’s life, is a powerful motivator.
Other mentors are driven by a deep-seated desire to pay it forward. They may have been fortunate enough to have a great mentor early in their own life—someone who guided them through a difficult career decision, helped them build confidence, or provided a much-needed sounding board. Indeed, when Mentorloop interviewed mentors from Startmate, they found “69% said their trigger was an internal one and that their main motivation for becoming a mentor was to give back or pay-it-forward.”
The desire to give back can often be particularly evident as the main motivation amongst mentors working in volunteer and community-based roles, such as with young people, where the goal is to provide guidance and a positive role model to help a young person navigate life’s challenges.
These positive experiences can create a ripple effect, inspiring them to become that same source of support for someone else. In fact, Harvard Business Review reported that 89% of those who received mentoring said they would want to mentor others in the future.
Career focussed motivation
At the same time, many mentors can be inspired to take on the role due to a passion for their profession. They’re driven by the opportunity to shape the next generation of leaders in their field. These mentors, often found in corporate or industry-specific settings, see the value in passing on institutional knowledge and best practices. Their motivation is the belief that a strong, skilled workforce benefits everyone and that by investing in emerging talent, they are contributing to the future success of their industry.
Additionally, there are undeniable career benefits that come with being a mentor. In today’s competitive landscape, employers are looking for more than just technical skills. They want leaders who can inspire, teach, and develop others. In fact, Wharton found that mentors were promoted six times more often than those not involved in the programme. That being said, Forbes reported that 63% of millennials say their leadership skills are not being fully developed. Therefore, alternative approaches need to be explored and encouraged.
Taking on a mentorship role—whether in a formal program, through a paid coaching position, or as a volunteer—demonstrates leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. These are highly sought-after traits that can significantly improve a person’s career prospects. For a career-driven individual, being a mentor isn’t only an altruistic act; it’s a strategic one that can open doors to new opportunities and promotions.
The Rewards of Being a Mentor
While the mentee can obviously gain a lot from the relationship, the benefits for the mentor are just as significant and provide their own element of motivation.
One of the most immediate benefits is skill development. For example: as a mentor, you need to be able to articulate your thoughts and ideas with clarity. You have to break down complex concepts and explain them in a way that’s easy to understand. This practice hones your communication skills, a crucial skill for any leader. It also sharpens your own knowledge base. As you answer a mentee’s questions, you may find yourself revisiting and strengthening your own understanding of certain topics.
In many cases, mentors receive training to better support their mentees, which can provide them with formal skills in communication, active listening, and giving constructive feedback. This is especially true for corporate mentorship programs, where organisations invest in their mentors to ensure the relationships are as effective as possible. The Mentoring School is proud of the work that we do with a range of organisations to embed relevant and engaging training as a foundation for any mentoring programme (see our developing effective mentoring programmes page for more information).
Another key benefit of becoming a mentor is being able to engage with a fresh perspective. From an organisational perspective, being able to diversify can have a wide spread impact, with McKinsey finding that companies with culturally diverse leadership teams are 33% more profitable. Furthermore, the Association for Talent Development’s research showed 61% of respondents said that coaching and mentoring has a positive impact on organisational culture, whilst Boston Consulting Group reported that employees who feel their organisation is inclusive are three times more likely to be happy in their job. Mentoring is a great way to support these efforts, with the well documented results providing the motivation for organisations establishing programmes.
A mentee, particularly one from a different generation or background, can introduce you to new ideas, technologies, and ways of thinking. The questions they ask can challenge you to think differently about your own work and career path. This kind of cross-generational or cross-disciplinary exchange can lead to incredible personal and professional growth for the mentor.
On a more personal note, those who become mentors often report a boost in self-confidence and a renewed sense of purpose. Guiding someone through a challenging time- whether it’s preparing for an interview, overcoming a personal barrier, or simply feeling more confident- can be a powerful validation of your own skills and experience. The satisfaction of knowing you’ve had a positive impact on someone’s life can be deeply fulfilling.
Conclusion
Ultimately, whether the relationship is a paid one, a volunteer effort, or part of a formal workplace program, mentoring is a reciprocal relationship. It’s a journey where both parties grow and learn. The motivations for becoming a mentor are diverse, but the rewards are universal. From the career-driven professional to the community-minded volunteer, everyone who steps into the role of a mentor gains something invaluable—the profound satisfaction of helping another person on their path to success.
To learn more about becoming a mentor, check out our Getting Started in Mentoring page.