We Asked LinkedIn’s Influencers — and Our Own Executives — To Give Advice on Mentoring. Here’s What They Said.

One in three young people in the U.S. have never had a mentor, yet 55% of young people are more likely to enroll in college when they have one, according to a new study by MENTOR. We at LinkedIn feel that mentorship is incredibly important and these relationships can make a real difference in the lives of underserved youth.

We’re asking our members to celebrate and acknowledge their mentors. Simply #ThankYourMentor by @mentioning them in a LinkedIn update with the hashtag. Take it a step further by signing up to mentor an underserved youth, or even join the likes of LinkedIn Influencers, like former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and GM CEO Mary Barra, and write a post about your mentorship experiences.

The benefits of mentorship are evident, but how do you start? How do you manage the relationship? We asked our executive team these same questions and here’s what they had to say:

• “Chemistry is everything,” says SVP of Global Solutions Mike Gamson.
• ”Be proactive about what it is you want to work with on your mentor. Show up prepared with what it is you want to talk about,” says CMO and SVP of Corporate Communications Shannon Stubo.
• “Make sure you find a mentor with shared values,” says VP and General Counsel and Secretary Michael Callahan.
• “Respect their time,” advises SVP of the Global Talent Organization Pat Wadors.
• “Don’t be afraid to ask,” SVP of Engineering and Operations Kevin Scott.
• “Make sure you have alignment of goals and perspective,” suggests SVP and Chief Financial Officer Steve Sordello.
• “Like with most relationships, you’ll instantly know. With my mentor Ray Chambers, I knew the second I met him I wanted him to be my mentor,” says Chief Executive Officer Jeff Weiner.

We hope you’ll join us, #ThankYourMentor, and help make a difference.

Want more mentoring advice? Read posts here, then write your own. Use #ThankYourMentor and @mention your mentor when sharing.

*The advice included in this post was shared during an internal LinkedIn meeting and was approved by the executives mentioned.

from Official LinkedIn Blog http://ift.tt/1PysuJQ
This post appeared first on blog.linkedin.com