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The Art of Giving Back: Beyond Trusteeship – How Else Can You Help Your Community?

By Sam Lee, Vice Chair, CIM South East Regional Committee

In my last two articles, I shared insights on how marketers can support charities by becoming a trustee. But what if that’s not your cup of tea? Fear not – there are numerous other ways to leverage your skills to benefit individuals and businesses in your community. Plus, these opportunities can also help you acquire new skills to advance your career.

Here are some ideas:

  • Pro bono work (free) for a business or local charities
  • Workshops and training for adults or to help students understand the real world of marketing
  • Set up a marketing group
  • Fundraise

However, today, let's dive into one of the most impactful ways to give back: mentoring.

Since 2007, I've been a mentor for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), several universities, the 1 Hour Project, and my own MarketingMe programme.

Why Should You Consider Becoming a Mentor? Here are my six reasons:

1. Personal Satisfaction
• Impact: Help others grow and succeed by sharing your knowledge and experience, creating a lasting legacy.
• Fulfillment: Experience the joy of seeing your mentees flourish.

2. Professional Growth
• Skill Development: Enhance your leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
• Networking: Expand your professional network by meeting new people (your mentees).

3. Learning and Development
• Fresh Perspectives: Gain new insights and perspectives from your mentees.
• Reinforcement: Strengthen your own knowledge and skills by guiding others.

4. Enhancing Company Culture
• Supportive Environment: Foster a more collaborative and supportive workplace.
• Retention: Improve employee retention rates by nurturing talent within your organisation.

5. Personal Development
• Self-Awareness: Reflect on your experiences to provide better guidance, increasing your self-awareness.
• Empathy: Develop a deeper understanding and empathy towards others.

6. Community Contribution
• Future Leaders: Help cultivate the next generation of professionals.
• Economic Impact: Contribute to industry innovation and the broader economy.

Do You Have the Right Skills to Mentor?


Worried you might not have what it takes? Here are the key skills important for mentoring – many of which you might already be using in your workplace.

1. Active Listening
• Focus: Pay full attention to your mentee, genuinely interested in their thoughts and concerns.
• Understanding: Make an effort to understand their perspective without interrupting.

2. Effective Communication
• Clarity: Communicate your ideas clearly and concisely.
• Constructive Feedback: Provide feedback in a supportive manner.

3. Empathy
• Emotional Intelligence: Relate to your mentee's feelings and experiences.
• Support: Offer compassion and encouragement.

4. Patience
• Tolerance: Be patient with your mentee’s learning process and progress.
• Supportive: Allow them to make mistakes and learn from them.

5. Problem-Solving
• Guidance: Help mentees navigate challenges and find solutions.
• Creativity: Encourage innovative thinking and alternative approaches.

6. Adaptability
• Flexibility: Adjust your mentoring style to meet the mentee’s needs.
• Receptive: Embrace change and new ideas.

7. Goal Setting
• Strategic Thinking: Assist your mentee in setting realistic and achievable goals.
• Planning: Help create actionable plans to reach those goals.

8. Motivation and Encouragement
• Inspiration: Motivate your mentee to strive for excellence.
• Support: Encourage them during setbacks and celebrate their successes.

9. Trustworthiness and Integrity
• Confidentiality: Maintain confidentiality and build a trusting relationship.
• Ethics: Lead by example with strong moral principles.

10. Networking
• Connections: Use your network to provide opportunities and resources for your mentee.
• Introductions: Facilitate professional connections that can help them grow.

11. Time Management
• Commitment: Dedicate sufficient time to the mentoring relationship.
• Balance: Manage your time effectively to balance mentoring with other responsibilities.

12. Reflective Practice
• Self-Assessment: Continuously evaluate and improve your mentoring approach.
• Feedback: Be open to feedback from your mentee to enhance the mentoring experience.

Ready to Make an Impact?
Becoming a mentor is a rewarding journey that offers personal growth, professional development, and the chance to make a significant impact on the community. I hope my experiences and this article inspire you to consider this fulfilling path.

Happy mentoring!