In this episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy Lopata revisits his interview featuring Chelsey Baker, founder of National Mentoring Day. Andy and Chelsey discuss the importance of mentoring and the difference between mentoring and Coaching, pointing out that mentoring is about providing answers and sharing expertise, while coaching focuses on specific skills and goals.

They explore the benefits of mentoring across all levels, from startups and young entrepreneurs to C-suite executives and students. Chelsey highlights the essential role mentoring plays in fostering confidence, connectedness, and a sense of belonging, especially during times of uncertainty.

Andy and Chelsey consider the dynamics of mentor-mentee Relationships, discussing the various forms mentoring can take – formal, informal, one-on-one, peer-to-peer, and reverse mentoring. Chelsey stresses the importance of finding the right mentor who can provide both guidance and support.

The conversation then shifts to National Mentoring Day, its origins, and how it has grown into a global movement. Chelsey shares her journey, showing how the lack of mentorship resources she initially encountered, inspired her to create National Mentoring Day.

Chelsey also shares her “six keys to effective mentoring”, which include leading by example, active listening, and fostering a trustworthy and supportive relationship. Chelsey reflects that mentoring ultimately fosters Growth, Innovation, and confidence, permitting individuals to unlock their full potential.

Key takeaways from the episode:

• Mentoring is for everyone, regardless of age, industry, or career stage.
• Mentoring provides answers and shares expertise, while coaching focuses on specific skills and goals.
• Mentoring fosters confidence, connectedness, and a sense of belonging.
• Effective mentoring relationships are built on trust, active listening, empathy, and guidance.
• National Mentoring Day encourages organisations, mentors, and mentees to celebrate the power of mentorship.
• You can get involved in National Mentoring Day by joining the mentoring ask, sharing your mentoring stories, and supporting mentoring initiatives. www.nationalmentoringday.org

Connect with Andy Lopata: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | YouTube

Connect with Chelsey Baker: Website |LinkedIn |X/Twitter

Listen to the full episode of this podcast

The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

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Andy Lopata Author, Podcast Host and Speaker on Professional Relationships Strategy

Andy Lopata is a specialist speaker on professional relationships, mentoring, networking, and social media strategy. He is a firm believer that professional relationships underpin our success in business, our roles, and our careers. The right relationships with the right people can lead to new business opportunities, investment, collaborative working, innovation, and career progress. We just need to be comfortable approaching those relationships strategically, without making people feel ‘networked’ by us.

Andy has worked in the field of networking and professional relationships for 25 years, working with global giants such as Paypal, GSK, AstraZeneca, Wella, HSBC, Wembley Stadium, the BBC, and the Prime Minister’s Office of the UAE, among many others during that time. He has also worked with leading universities including NYU, Duke University, and Oxford University’s Said Business School.

A regular blogger for Psychology Today, Andy has been quoted in The Sunday Times, The Financial Times, and The Guardian, as well as many other national and regional newspapers and magazines worldwide. He has written or co-authored six books on networking and professional relationships, with his sixth book, "The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring," being published in Spring 2024. He is also the host of The Connected Leadership Podcast and has interviewed globally recognized names in business, academia, sports, and entertainment for the show.

Andy has been inducted into the PSAE Hall of Fame – the Professional Speaking Association Award of Excellence, which was held by only 21 other speakers at the time it was presented. He is a Fellow and a former President of the Fellows’ Community of the Professional Speaking Association (PSA), a Fellow of the Learning and Performance Institute (LPI), and a Member of the Association of Business Mentors and the Meetings Industry Association.