Have you ever had a great mentor at work? How did he or she make an impact your career?

I will never forget my first experience being mentored. Wanda, my mentor, took me under her wing with great passion. Her school of mentorship was not for the faint of heart. She could be demanding, she talked very rapidly and sometimes I had to run down the hallways to keep up with her.

Yet the lessons I learned from Wanda are still serving me well eighteen years later. She taught me, very early in my career, what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty to serve your clients. She taught me the importance of being accountable for your words and actions. She demonstrated the importance of building trusting relationships and showed me what dedication and loyalty really mean.

Mentoring is a powerful way to learn. Whether mentoring happens informally or through a formal program, it can be magical. So, what is the magic all about? Why are so many people transformed by a mentoring relationship? Here are my top five reasons:

1. Mentors share their knowledge and help their mentee grow professionally
2. Mentors provide advice
3. Mentors provide objective criticism and helpful feedback
4. Mentors use their experience to help solve a problem in the best way possible
5. Mentors care about their mentees and have a vested interest in their mentee’s success

Part of the magic of mentoring is that it is a symbiotic relationship. Mentors also benefit from the experience. They can be exposed to new ways of thinking or different perspectives. They can further develop their own leadership skills and often develop both personally and professionally.

Did you know that ULI has a formal mentoring program?

For the past four years I have been involved with this program. I have seen the magic unravel before my eyes. I facilitate two training sessions throughout the year-long program. In the initial session, just after the program launches, there is always a sense of apprehension in the air as mentors and mentees get to know each other and work on setting some goals for the year. Six months later, when we meet for the second session, I am always encouraged to see the wonderful bonds that have formed and in some cases life-long relationships established.

Over the years, I have seen mentors return to the program again and again. Why? Well, I asked Howard Meir, VP Investments at High Peak Group of Companies, why he has returned to be a mentor for the second time. “I feel like I get more out of the experience than I give”, said Howard. “Plus, I am happy to give back to the industry.” he continued. Howard also values the opportunity to network with other participants in the program.

The mentees who participate in the program are some of the best and brightest in the industry. They are people who are very dedicated to their careers and understand the importance of personal and professional development. I asked Elysia Leung, a past participant, what she learned from her mentor and what she gained from the experience. Elysia commented on the great conversations and sound career advice she received from her mentor. “I learned a lot about the industry and also the Toronto market place, as I did not complete my planning education in Toronto”, she said. “My mentor gave me so much encouragement”, Elysia continued, “I not only gained mentorship from this program, I also gained a friendship”.

Author Earl R. Smith says, “The true tragedy in most people’s lives is that they are far better than they imagine themselves to be and, as a result, end up being much less than they might be.” So imagine the power of having a mentor who really sees your potential, who pushes you out of your comfort zone and who ensures that you strive for a rewarding career. Now that is what I call magic!

Vanessa Judelman is the president of Mosaic People Development. www.mosaicpd.com