Career Advice - Reverse Mentoring is Revolutionizing the Workplace

Mentors have a strong and respected place in the world of work. In fact, this role is growing in importance.

Usually, the older and more experienced, mentors provide coaching and serve as a model for beginners who turn them for advice on how to build and manage their careers. This role is important for the success of individuals and organizations.

mentoring takes on a new dimension because all the young careerists to perform vital services for their old bosses and colleagues.

This is called "reverse mentoring".

This new way of mentoring is brought about by technology spawned by computers and the Internet.

older workers are usually lost ball in tall weeds when it comes to understanding the potential benefits of cyber technology and how to implement them. On the other hand, younger people, so twentysomethings, who have grown up with computers and internet are comfortable, well versed in the tools of technology. They also developed new attitudes are changing work environment.

This emerging reverse mentoring is not without some sobering and painful adjustments on both sides. Who has not had a UN-nerving experience of school age boy solve the challenge of cyber flash, which is confusing for the older age?

In the past, reverse mentoring relationship developed neformalno.Istraživanje work-life policies shows that four out of ten senior executives looking for a junior associate with text messaging, social networking and using iTunes.

Reverse mentoring a growing trend

More and more companies are formalizing a reverse mentoring program by assigning young people to act as a technology guide.

Edelman public relations firm is a good example of this trend. The agency has a program called Rotnem (mentor spelled backwards) and went with him throughout the world. About 95 percent of senior executives in the Chicago office work associated with Rotnems.

Usually, those who have experienced the tech mentoring will find that learning how-to-do-that, though often difficult, is only half the game. The rest of the equation - an understanding of protocols and learning the proper way to hire him so that they benefit the organization - it is equally challenging

It takes some work - and a healthy ego -. For senior executives in order to get comfortable to be taught by young people

"You feel stupid," says Janet Cabot, president of Edelman in the central part. "... You reach a certain age and you do not want to feel stupid ."

those organizations that have launched a reverse mentoring program often find that the benefits go beyond better use of technology. Chief among them is breaking down the rigid lines of the corporate hierarchy. Inevitably, the younger tutors and students are exposed to each others knowledge and experience.

While the benefits of informed guidance on how to use technology, veterans gain insight into what makes their younger colleagues tick and how to manage them.

"While I learned about networking, what I really learned ... it is important to understand what Rotnems think and how they spend their time," says Kathy Krenger, 42, executive in Edelmen.

"mentoring, sharing of different perspectives in relation to the older generation of younger generation, which creates a lot of magic. It breeds innovative thinking," says Rafael Viton, president of innovation agencies in suburban Chicago.

Seniors get a chance to spot and evaluate new talent.

At the same time, young people gain exposure to senior executives involved with opportunities to learn from them, not just what to do, but how to get things done.

This presentation includes two other options for youth mentors. One of them, they have the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and work ethic. Second, they can introduce new technologies and strategies that can benefit their employer, and thus themselves.

Reverse mentoring can come from the top down in organizations that want to take full advantage of the sweeping changes taking place in workplace technology. Or it can happen when young professionals step forward to offer their expertise.

This is clear. Either way, all parties - employers, senior executives and junior staff - used when reverse mentoring takes place