The Power of Mentoring with Chelsey Baker

Andy's upcoming book, The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring, co-authored with Dr. Ruth Gotian, aligns well with this episode of The Connected Leadership Podcast, in which he discusses mentoring with Chelsey Baker. Chelsey is a visionary force in the world of mentoring, founding National Mentoring Day, the largest celebration of mentoring to support mentors and mentees, taking place on 27th October and inaugurated as an official National Day in the Houses of Parliament in London. Chelsey's mission is clear - to make mentorship accessible to all and celebrate and support mentors and mentees, sharing their mentoring news, impact and stories year-round. Chelsey is a multi-award-winning business mentor with thousands of hours mentoring experience working with Royalty, Governments, celebrities, and business leaders across all sectors where she is well known for inspiring and elevating others through her mentorship.  Chelsey's remarkable achievements have earned her many prestigious accolades, including "Excellence in Enterprise Mentoring Award" at BAFTA, "Influential Woman of the Year," and "Visionary Woman Serving Humanity'' reflecting her commitment to empowering individuals and businesses through mentoring. Andy and Chelsey discuss her passion for mentoring, which offers guidance, advice, and wisdom. She explains how mentoring contrasts with coaching. Chelsey would like to see mentoring at every level and in different sectors, from start-ups to C-suite executives. For start-ups, mentors provide the much-needed support and direction that can prevent businesses from falling apart. For executives, mentors serve as a sounding board for airing concerns that can't always be shared with team members. The discussion also touches on the concept of multiple mentors. Here, an individual could seek advice from different mentors, each specialising in a unique field, thereby providing rounded guidance. The frequency of mentorship sessions varies and is tailored depending on the mentee's needs and expectations. Chelsey sees mentoring's role to connect, to learn to engage. Besides sharing much-needed wisdom and expertise, mentors also provide emotional support by offering an objective perspective, thus making powerful allies in the journey of self-growth and learning. Chelsey recounts her unique journey into mentoring, which found its roots in her public speaking and business advice background. This led to her signing up to stand at a show, which focused on finding individuals willing to pass on their skills and experiences. Eventually, this culminated in the creation of National Mentoring Day, an event born out of frustration and a lack of mentors, and it was officially inaugurated in the Houses of Parliament in 2016. The need for regular mentorship promotion, awareness, and support throughout the year forms the crux of National Mentoring Day's mission to make mentoring accessible to all. Chelsey encourages organisations to applaud their mentors and mentorship programs. She emphasises that everyone has the capacity to mentor or to learn as a mentee, thus improving mentorship's reach and influence. Chelsey also highlights 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. National Mentoring Day is on October 27th and www.nationalmentoringday.org is a valuable resource that sheds light on the importance of mentoring at every level and across different sectors. Discover how mentorship can provide guidance, support, and wisdom, ultimately unlocking your full potential. Connect with Andy Lopata Connect with Chelsey Baker