Listen to the podcast from “Everyday Leadership: Making Work Work,”

October 6, 2008, Minneapolis, MN — On Saturday, October 4, Kathleen Pytleski, Senior Vice President at Menttium, was interviewed by Dan Mulhern, the First Gentleman of Michigan. This  episode of Mulhern’s show, “Everyday Leadership: Making Work Work,” focused on corporate mentoring and the way it is used to develop talent.

In addition to interviewing Pytleski, Mulhern spoke with Tom Ciesielka, CEO of TCPR, Steve Gravenkemper of Plante-Moran, and Professors Brad Johnson and Charles Ridley, co-authors of “The Elements of Mentoring.”

The show provided some excellent examples of mentoring and its impact on business. Ciesielka and Gravenkemper gave several examples of how they use mentoring to develop and retain their professionals. In response to Mulhern’s questions about mentoring employees who may turn around and leave his company, Ciesiekla said, “My goal is to raise people up to do better…they get to grow and it keeps a fire under me to encourage them to stay.”

Johnson and Ridley spoke of the overwhelming evidence that shows the value of mentorships. Their research shows that mentored employees have higher promotion rates, higher salaries, and accelerated career mobility. In addition, both claim that those who are mentored tend to go on to mentor others. “When you develop quality people, they are able to make the kinds of strategic decisions that will enhance your [company’s] investment and infrastructure,” stated Ridley

The set of interviews concluded with a conversation with Kathleen Pytleski from Menttium Corporation. As Mulhern introduced Pytleski, he talked about Menttium’s cross-company mentoring solutions and his support for mentors who come from outside a mentee’s organization. Mulhern stated, “Outsight is important” and cross company mentoring gives mentees a broad and external perspective. Pytleski spoke about mentoring as a powerful talent development tool. She said, “Mentoring is all about experiential learning and how you learn from someone who has walked the path before.” Pytleski spoke of the benefits of working with an outside company to help someone find a mentor, especially one that will bring a diverse perspective to the mentoring relationship. Often when people find their own mentor, they look for someone who is like them. By using a third party to identify a mentor, mentees can build a relationship with someone who will broaden their perspective and teach them to think differently. Pytleski also shared advice on her own mentoring experience, and how someone could go about finding their own mentor.

Listen to the podcast from “Everyday Leadership: Making Work Work,”