The Mutual Benefits of Mentorship | Vinnie Malcolm | TEDxManhattanBeach

Summary

The speaker shares his journey of finding mentorship in the advertising industry, highlighting the importance of mentors in personal and professional growth. He emphasizes the need for mentorship in today's workforce, especially for millennials and Gen Z, and discusses the benefits of mentorship in skill development, stress management, and emotional intelligence. The talk concludes with a call to action for everyone to consider becoming a mentor.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was inspired to pursue a career in advertising after meeting Mitzi, who suggested he needed a mentor.
• 📚 Mitzi helped the speaker get a job at Grey, which was his dream company, despite his lack of industry connections.
• 🤝 Richard became the speaker's first real mentor, providing both professional and personal guidance, including helping him find a job and a spouse.
• 🏙️ Richard was instrumental in the speaker's career progression, even helping him move to California and secure positions at KIIS-FM and KCAL TV.
• 👨‍🏫 John was another mentor who accelerated the speaker's career, ensuring his name was considered for promotions and providing support during tough times.
• 💼 Mentorship is crucial in today's world, especially for Millennials and Generation Z who are facing financial challenges post-pandemic and the Great Recession.
• 🌐 Millennials are projected to make up over 75% of the workforce by 2025, and 79% of them see mentoring as important for their career development.
• 💡 Companies need to focus on skill development, stress management, and emotional intelligence to support the younger generation effectively.
• 🌟 Mentorship has a long history of success, with examples like Socrates mentoring Plato, John Wooden mentoring Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Maya Angelou mentoring Oprah Winfrey.
• 🔗 Having a mentor at work increases the likelihood of feeling opportunities for advancement, being appreciated by colleagues, and job satisfaction.
• 🚀 Mentees are five times more likely to be promoted than those without mentors, and mentors themselves are six times more likely to be promoted.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial goal when he was 21 years old?

The speaker's initial goal was to make money, be independent, and start his life, just as he was about to graduate college.

How did Mitzi influence the speaker's career?

Mitzi introduced the speaker to some people at Grey advertising, which was his dream job, and told him the importance of having a mentor.

Who was the speaker's first real mentor and what did he learn from him?

The speaker's first real mentor was Richard, from whom he learned both professional and personal guidance, including what to do and what not to do.

How did Richard help the speaker during his transition to California?

Richard was instrumental in helping the speaker find a place to live in L.A. and obtaining account executive positions at KIIS-FM and KCAL TV.

What role did John play in the speaker's career advancement?

John watched out for the speaker, ensuring his name was considered for promotions, and made himself available during tough times, including when the speaker succeeded John as president and general manager at KTLA.

Why is mentorship considered more important today than ever before?

Mentorship is needed more than ever due to the financial impact of the pandemic and the Great Recession on Millennials and Generation Z, who are behind professionally and financially and need to catch up.

What percentage of the workforce is projected to be millennials by 2025, and how do they view mentorship?

Millennials are projected to comprise more than 75% of the workforce by 2025, and 79% of them say that mentoring is important to them.

What are the three areas companies need to focus on for the younger generation according to the pandemic's effect?

Companies need to focus on skill development, stress management, and emotional intelligence for the younger generation.

What benefits does mentorship provide to those who have mentors at work?

Those with mentors at work are 71% more likely to see opportunities for advancement, 89% more likely to feel appreciated by colleagues, and 91% more likely to be satisfied with their jobs.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to address the lack of diversity in top management?

The speaker suggests that mentoring a diverse group of mentees is an organic and sustainable way to increase diversity at the top of organizations.

What is the speaker's call to action for the audience?

The speaker encourages the audience to become mentors, coaches, tutors, or good neighbors and to identify someone they will mentor starting on Monday.