5 Surprising Things You’ll Learn About Yourself through Mentoring

Often, when people consider volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, they focus on what they can offer. Don’t get us wrong, this is a perfect reason to step up and become a mentor! But if you’ve only considered what your Little will get from you, you’re missing half the picture. The other half is the part our Bigs absolutely love to share about: the things they learn from their Littles.

A great mentor-mentee relationship means learning life lessons, experiencing personal growth, and engaging in a supportive community. None of these experiences are limited to Littles.

As much as you have to give, you also have to gain. The benefits of becoming a youth mentor are huge, but you might not have thought them through before. In this blog, we’re sharing the 5 unexpected benefits of mentoring a Little.

1. You’ll Tap into Your Inner Kid Again

When was the last time you played outside? Or the last time you choreographed a dance? As we get older, many of us move on from some of the activities and experiences we enjoyed in our younger years.

Spending time with a Little is a chance to rediscover the things that used to bring you joy. Play, experiment, and maybe get a little messy. You might be surprised at how much fun you have!

If you’ve ever wondered just what the kids are into these days, here’s a great opportunity. At first, it’s helpful for Bigs to organize activities to enjoy together. However, don’t forget that your Little probably has some great ideas too. Being open to suggestions and even stepping outside your comfort zone might lead you to a new shared hobby.

2. You’ll See Your Own Strengths in a New Light

Becoming a Big unlocks skills you didn’t realize you had. To be the best support possible for your Little, you’ll probably have to wear many hats. One day you might be a shoulder to lean on, the next, a coach, and after that, a friend. 

Each role requires something a little different from you. It could be a learning experience, but before you know it, you’ll be nailing it.

You’ll find you have leadership skills you never knew about. A knack for creative expression. The patience to listen carefully. 

Thinking that doesn’t sound like you yet? You’ll be surprised how being a Big reveals strengths that were there all along – you just need the chance to find them and a Little to guide you along.

3. You’ll Learn to Listen (Really Listen)

Many youth feel they aren’t being heard by adults, let alone taken seriously. One of the biggest services you can offer your Little is a friendly ear. Feeling like someone cares enough to listen sometimes goes further than good advice and can build trust between Big and Little. 

As you build your relationship, you’ll also build your active listening and empathy skills. These take practice to excel at, and they come in handy in more than just mentoring relationships. In any personal or professional relationship, active listening and empathy are major assets.

4. You’ll Appreciate the Small Moments

Youth mentorship has a major impact. It’s clear, anecdotally and scientifically, why mentoring matters. One mentorship relationship has the power to impact two lives. 

However, when you experience mentorship for yourself, you might be surprised that the wins that stick out the most aren’t the huge ones. When your Little cracks a smile, you share a joke, or they confide in you, the moment sticks with you.

Over time, you’ll witness your Little’s confidence grow and understand the role you play in each other’s lives. Some life lessons from mentoring are huge, and others are small and happen every day. Either way, the wins are worth celebrating.

5. You’ll Get Inspired to Grow Yourself

Many Bigs become mentors because they look forward to helping their Little grow. What they might not expect is their own personal growth. 

Spending time with your Little might prompt you to pursue a new hobby that you can share with them. You might explore your neighborhood with new eyes because your Little came along. Before you know it, you’ve got goals you never considered before.

As you grow, you act as an even better role model for your Little. Each person pushes the other a little bit more, helping the other to embody the best version of themself.

Real Stories from Local Bigs

Mentoring success stories are as unique and varied as Bigs and Littles themselves. Some mentors, like Big Brother Joe, experience the rewards of mentorship with multiple youth. Some, like Big Sister Kat, feel they click with their Little on the first meeting. Big Brother Steve feels his Little prepared him to be a great parent

For them all, mentoring has been a journey of self-discovery. The very first step of that journey is learning how to become a Big.

Like any relationship, being a mentor is challenging. It pushes you to work on skills you didn’t know you needed and discover others you didn’t know you had. The joys of mentoring come from meeting those challenges, developing a relationship with your Little, and positively impacting one another. 

Ready to discover these joys for yourself? Start your journey as a Big today – apply now!

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Blog written by Emma Wilkie, High10 Digital.