What is Mentoring?
Mentoring is an alliance of two people which creates a space for dialogue that results in reflection, action and learning for both. Mentoring and coaching are often used to support individual learners in an employment context.
Often mentors are characterised as being older, wiser and of higher status than mentees. While one partner may have more experience than the other in some areas, age and status are not necessarily relevant to the value one brings to mentoring.
A mentor is a person who will listen and give information, advice and counsel when requested.
They may:
- support a transition and help assimilation into a new environment
- act as a source of information and insight
- counsel regarding career development or strategies for achieving professional goals
- teach specific skills
- facilitate self directed learning
Mentoring is not..
- one person dominating, directing or controlling another’s decisions
- becoming dependant or reliant on someone else
- using or taking unfair advantage or someone
- gaining favours that are expected to be returned or paid back
- working outside of the system
- best friends – while friendship may develop, it is not the primary goal of the relationship
What skills do I need to be a mentor?
The mentor is a counsellor, a consultant and a coach. Some of the skills required are:
- an understanding of different mentoring styles
- ability to negotiate time commitments and accessibility
- identifying the mentees needs and goals and how to facilitate, support and encourage the mentee in achieving those goals
- active listening techniques
- honesty and openness in providing non-judgemental feedback and advice
- problem solving approaches
- maintaining a professional relationship