I have always admired people who are willing to help someone else improve. One of my favorite lines is a rising tide lifts all ships.
Today’s topic is on things to consider if you gonna be a mentor or if you wish to be mentored. One thing to keep in mind is that one can have various mentors in different areas of their life. It is not restricted to one person in one situation. I hope these ideas will be of use.
One good example of mentoring is when Aristotle was a mentor to Plato.
A bad example of mentoring is Thomas Edison fighting against the success of George Westinghouse.
Mentors:
-encourage you mentee to establish their Separate network of contacts.
-Mentors might be able to identify others who might make good mentors to the person you’re already helping, with their unique set of skills.
-Helps mentee develop own agenda
-Care about mentees as people by showing empathy and respect.
-Don’t attempt to handle situations for which you are not qualified.
-Don’t give advice that conflict with the supervisor
-Mentor does not evaluate the performance of the mentee
-Share with the mentee the importance of being flexible and adaptable in attitudes and actions, and urge him or her to look for alternatives and see situations/persons from different perspectives.
-Stress that the mentee should be aware of the environment, be intuitive, be problem-sensitive, be ready to make the most of opportunities, learn the customs and policies, and to recognize the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
-Encourage the mentee to use creative problem solving skills.
-Encourage mentee to be an independent thinker.
-Mentor, discuss with mentee what their career objectives are.
-Assist the mentee in developing self-confidence. Ask questions to help mentee think through complicated projects instead of just telling them what to do.
-Encourage mentee to be an active partner not just a listener.
-Encourage the mentee to recognize his or her individual strengths and uniqueness and to build upon them.
Mentee:
-A mentee must clarify his or her values.
-Mentees ask questions early in the relationships and try out at least some of the suggestions given.
-Follow through on assigned tasks
-Don’t be too general; be specific in the questions you ask.
-In the end, you are responsible for your own progress and success.
-Resist the urge to talk or interrupt the speaker
-If your schedule hinders easy access with your mentor let him/her know that.
-Be teachable and appreciative of their knowledge and time.
-Think out in advance the questions you have so you can present them clearly. You might, to yourself think of pros and cons of alternative solutions to a question so that you’re ready to learn from your mentor.
-A mentor’s influence may not be all inclusive. It might be just the fact of him/her giving you a different point of view and thus widens your perspective.
-Be considerate of your mentors time and obligations. If you can do something to make their job more successful volunteer to help so that you support their efforts.
-Start mentoring process by asking a question, but do as much prior research on your planned Questions so can so you can ask intelligent and well informed questions. The person you seek to mentor will be more inclined to advise when he/she sees you’re making an effort already.
General:
-Both sides should have a positive attitude.
-Keep all committeement established between the both of you.
-Meet as often as your schedule permits
-Keep all confidences revealed in the working relationship.
-If a mentoring relationship is establish, discuss what is expected on each side.
-Correct any misunderstandings as soon as you realize that there is one.
-Encourage open honest dialogue.
-Value the exchange of ideas more than ideas themselves
-Use active listening skills
-Be dependable in who we are and what we do
-Create some goals and objectives that are measurable.
-Some mentoring partnerships can go both ways = one person teaching another in an area they are strong at and the other teaching back in their expertise.
-You can have multiple mentors throughout your career and may even have the opportunity to mentor.
On a personal note: With the various goals in my life, I have always wished I could have a mentor in certain areas, particularly when it comes to writing. I remember attending a storytelling workshop several years ago were an author was a guest speaker. At the conclusion of his talk, he volunteered to help aspiring authors. When I followed up on an email he never responded. I strongly encourage people that want to mentor that if you volunteer to mentor someone follows through. Don’t make your promises empty words.
I remember how excited I was at the workshop, thinking I was going to have someone mentor me. It teaches me a lesson that whenever I get the position to help someone that I will follow through.
Links:
http://dgsomdiversity.ucla.edu/workfiles/lectures/Making%20the%20Most%20of%20Mentors.pdf
http://www.engin.umich.edu/students/mentoring/suggestions.html
http://dgsomdiversity.ucla.edu/workfiles/lectures/Making%20the%20Most%20of%20Mentors.pdf
http://graddiv.ucsc.edu/current-students/pdfs/effective-mentoring.pdf
http://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaquast/2013/01/14/debunking-common-mentoring-myths/
http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles/Community/FRC/Team_Resources/Mentoring%20Guide.pdf
http://www.american.edu/sis/mentoring/Tips.cfm
http://www.uwosh.edu/mentoring/tools.html#mentoringrelationship
http://www.uwosh.edu/mentoring/tools.html
http://www.uwosh.edu/mentoring/tools.html#thirteenstrategies
If you have mentored someone and has techniques and advice to give, either from the position of a mentor or as recipient of mentoring, please feel free to share your ideas in the comment section of this blog. Thank you.
