| | SEPTEMBER - 2023MANAGEHRMAGAZINE.COM8In MyOpinionBy Javier Orellana, Head of Talent, The RealRealAt times early in my career, I felt stuck. I understood the theory and had a logical thought process, but I was unsure of where to start. What was the next step needed to land that project or get a seat at the table? In those moments, I wish I had realized how valuable a mentor would have been. Thankfully, some trial and error and a few supportive leaders got me on my way. As I began to be afforded opportunities and saw success in my career, I felt it necessary to find ways to give back and provide those same opportunities to others in my sphere. More recently, I specifically remembered my previous desire for some early-on career guidance. This thought led me to begin offering my support as a mentor and I've been greatly rewarded. Working through problems, sharing anecdotes, and generally cheering on my mentees has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. I know these people are going to exceed their expectations and hopefully they'll be mentoring their group of people looking for a push in the right direction. As an HR professional, it is imperative to continuously build for the future of HR. The HR space is constantly changing, and it is important to have a strong pipeline of upcoming talent. As experts in the field, it is the responsibility of leadership to provide the guidance and support needed to succeed. A surefire way to develop the next generation of HR professionals is through mentorship. Mentors can help mentees to grow their skills and knowledge, build their networks, and gain the experience they need to move into leadership positions. Our obligation as leaders is to coach and teach our business partners. That is doubly important for our direct reports. In that regard, it is our job to make our team more successful than ourselves. We need to help our teams overcome obstacles, remove roadblocks, and accomplish more than what was thought possible.However, mentorship should not be reserved just for leaders. Mentorship is an integral part of our DNA and, dare I say, our core values as HR professionals. We are responsible for developing and implementing HR policies and programs and often have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with others. Any experienced specialist in the field can share their wisdom and show enthusiasm for the success of others.Javier OrellanaTHE VALUE OF MENTORSHIP IN HR
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