A one-to-one relationship where one is teaching another to grow in his/her life, career, business, e.tc is known to be mentoring. Mentoring is the practice of transferring knowledge, skills and promoting excellent practices at work. As well as the effective way for one to develop
Mentoring someone benefits you the mentor and the mentee. Let’s consider the tips that will help you and your mentee.
1. Set Expectations And Ground Rules
When you are first introduced to your mentee, make them feel comfortable around by clearly explaining your role. And answer the questions they may have about the process.
Tell them what you expect of them (e.g. Like coming with problems or inquiries to discuss; showing up on time; they should treat as a professional relationship, etc.). On your part, tell them that you’re prepared to teach, coach, and show them an opportunity.
2. Carry Out An Informal Needs Assessment
Find out from the mentee their priorities when they are in meeting with you. What areas of their career, life, business, or job do they want to know about most? And the areas they want to improve in?
3. Mutually Set Goals
As a mentor, it’s work to find out from the mentee’s guardian or parents what areas do they want you to focus on as the mentor. Then you will include the important things with the intentions of the mentee.
The mentee and yourself will then prioritize what you’ll teach them first. And then agree on the days and time you will be meeting and how depth you will go into the process.
You will tell the mentee how often you people will meet in person. Also, let them know if you’ll available for online consults and the time and on what days.
Tell them your time boundaries. Make sure you give enough availability to avoid leaving your mentee in a lurch.
4. Listen, Ask And Then Advise
No matter your level of exposure, wisdom, and knowledge. You must understand that your mentee is not an empty vessel, which you can just pour your knowledge into. It will be unfair to them if teach and don’t allow them to air their views.
Sometimes, you should listen to what they have to say before finally concluding with your opinion. Ask them for their point of view. They might bring new insights and perspectives which you may not even have considered.
5. Allow Them Make Their Own Decisions
Generally, a mentor is more experienced and knowledgeable than his/her mentee. It’s much easier to tell a protégé what you want to do.
The effect is that it would hinder their problem-solving abilities to think through problems and situations to get solutions. And the opportunity for them to learn by making mistakes will be blocked.
6. Be Accountable To Each Other
Accountability and trust are the key foundational elements of any effective mentoring relationship. You have to give them some work to do, and attach consequences to any work not done. Also, allow them to express their disappointment if you fail to do your part.
7. Open Doors
Show them opportunities that they would benefit from. If they happen to show their seriousness to learning and growing, then introduce them to important people in your network.
8. Mind Your Impulses and Biases
Hopefully, you’ll work to know your mentee very well. Before knowing them reasonably well, don’t let stereotypes distort your impressions. Because just like you, the person might quite different from what you see.
Finally, avoid anything that will violate the boundary of your professional relationship with your mentee. Why? Because mentors are known to be in a power position.
