“‘Ike aku, ‘ike mai, kōkua aku kōkua mai; pēlā ihola ka nohona o ka ‘ohana.”
“Recognize and be recognized, help and be helped; such is the family way.”
For the vast majority of people, success doesn’t come overnight — or through the efforts of a single person. It’s the result of relationships, shared effort and the willingness to guide and be guided.
The connections we foster with others and the help we extend them ultimately make our own careers more successful — and meaningful.
Mentors play a pivotal role in the workplace, fostering growth, building confidence and shaping future leaders. They provide the guidance and insight necessary to help younger employees navigate new challenges, adapt to organizational culture and develop skills for advancement. They offer a safe space to ask questions, share ideas and receive constructive feedback.
For seasoned professionals, mentoring others can also be a fulfilling way to share knowledge and contribute to a company’s overall success by cultivating a collaborative and supportive work environment.
January is National Mentoring Month, with Jan. 7 recognized as “I Am a Mentor Day,” followed by “International Mentoring Day” on Jan. 17 and “Thank Your Mentor Day” on Jan. 21. National Mentoring Month was established by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership in 2002.
According to website mentoring.org, those with a mentor are 92 percent more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities, and 74 percent of those surveyed who had a meaningful mentor said that person contributed significantly to their success later in life.
Mentoring is especially important in the construction industry, where hands-on experience and practical knowledge are as critical as technical training. Expertise is often built over years of on-the-job learning, with mentors playing a key role in passing down this knowledge.
And with the growing labor shortage in the industry, effective mentorship is even more critical.
As we head into the upcoming year, take a moment and consider how you are helping to pave the way for future generations of building industry workers. Take the initiative to mentor new talent. Whether you’re a seasoned journeyman or an established management executive, your insight can shape careers and elevate the entire industry.
Don’t wait — now is the time to invest in the next generation of Hawai‘i builders.
Aloha,
Jason Genegabus
Senior Editor, Building Industry Hawai‘i
[email protected]
