Who is a mentee? A mentee is a person that wants to further his/her career and/or social development. Signs that the person wants to progress are statements/questions such as: "I would like to make more friends.", "My teachers thinks that I can get better grades.", "I would like to get a better job.", "How can I get a promotion?", "How do I get on the basketball team?", "I want to go to college.", "I would like a better relationship with my kids or spouse. "
"I'd like to make more money in my network markting business. What do I have to do to make it happen?"
It is very difficult to help someone who does not see the need for help. You can suggest to someone that he/she can do better in a particular area, but the individual must appreciate and accept the need for change. They must see the value in creating a shift.
Mentees must have trust and respect for the mentor. Mentees must realize that the success of the relationship is up to them and they are responsible for the actions they take. Mentee's must take responsibility for their own development. Finally, the mentee must value the role of a mentor in achieving these objectives.
Maintaining the Mentoring Relationship with the Mentee
A key element in maintaining a good working relationship with your mentee is to ensure that he / she is responsible for his / her own development. The mentor can coax, persuade, cajole but must never coerce the mentee.
Honestly is always the best policy. Some things may have to be coated with some sugar and honey to sweeten them up, but never compromise the truth.
Being a mentor is a rewarding responsibility. Take your mentoring responsibilities seriously, and insist the mentee do likewise.
Do not hesitate to invite others to get involved in the mentoring relationship if you feel that it is in the best interests of the mentee. This step can be difficult for the mentor to take because it may admit to some weakness on his / her part. However, realizing when others can do a better job bringing is a hallmark of maturity.
Focus on the big picture and don’t worry about small things. Substance is important, style less so. Each person is unique, and the mentee’s individual style may need to be modified, but not suppressed.
The mentor should not look for immediate gratification in the mentoring relationship. The value of the lessons learned from the mentor may not become apparent to the mentee for months or even years later.
Showing posts with label mentor moments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mentor moments. Show all posts
Monday, September 1, 2008
Mentoring -Are you willing to be a Mentor?
Mentoring is the art of helping others to develop their talents, aptitudes, and interpersonal skills and to reach their full human potential. Mentoring can take place in many settings, on the job, in school or college, in a club, within the community, in a social setting, and within a family.
A mentor is someone who resembles your vision of yourself in the future in some area. In common language, the person doing the helping is called the "mentor", while the person being helped is called the "mentee". However, this language hides the fact that mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship - both mentor and mentee gain from their interaction. The characteristic of an effective mentor is that he/she is trusted and respected by the mentee.
Trust and respect create the foundation for open communication that is essential to a successful mentoring relationship.Other important characteristics of an effective mentor are:Self-awareness, knowing your own strengths and weaknesses.
Communication skills - a willingness to listen and an ability to communicate with the mentee.Openness to new ideas - Having a willingness to learn as well as teach.Patience. Perseverance. Honesty. Integrity. Commitment.A sense of fairness - observing & communicating both the positive & negative in a situation. Sensitivity to the mentee's strengths and weaknesses, intellectual and emotional development. An ability and willingness to work with the mentee on his/her challenges and needs.
For mentoring in work situations, the mentor may require technical knowledge (how to get the job done). This requirement will vary from need and requirement. In some instances it may be necessary for the mentor to teach skills to the mentee. If this is the situation, then the mentor must have the technical knowledge and the ability to communicate with the skills needed. In other circumstances, it may be sufficient for the mentor to know where and/or how the technical knowledge can be obtained.
Tip - This list of characteristics may seem to exclude many people from being a mentor. Not so! Awareness of the characteristics is more important than possessing them at the beginning of a mentoring relationship. Mentors can (and most probably will!) develop many characteristics while working with one or more mentees. We are all learning in life.
Establishing a Mentoring Relationship
Now that we have an individual who wants to grow as a person (mentee), and have selected a suitable mentor, (or mentors) the next stage is to establish a mentoring relationship.
While the mentoring relationship is an informal one, it is best to give it some structure.
There are three basic questions:
Where are we going, what is the desired goal?
Where are we now?
What do we need to do to get to the desired goal?
The mentor is best to lead a discussion with the mentee along the following lines:
What are the mentee’s desired goals?
What is the current situation?
What steps must the mentee take to reach his/her desired goal?
What resources for the goal are available to the mentee and mentor?
What resources need to be obtained from elsewhere?
Resources to be a better mentor include:
The mentor, Other mentors, Training Courses
The mentee (skills and aptitudes are identified through the personal profile).
Skilled professionals such as teachers, doctor and nurses.
Schools, colleges, universities, books, video and cassettes.
Parents, other relatives, colleagues, libraries and museums.
Government, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, pastors, counselors & friends.
A mentor is someone who resembles your vision of yourself in the future in some area. In common language, the person doing the helping is called the "mentor", while the person being helped is called the "mentee". However, this language hides the fact that mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship - both mentor and mentee gain from their interaction. The characteristic of an effective mentor is that he/she is trusted and respected by the mentee.
Trust and respect create the foundation for open communication that is essential to a successful mentoring relationship.Other important characteristics of an effective mentor are:Self-awareness, knowing your own strengths and weaknesses.
Communication skills - a willingness to listen and an ability to communicate with the mentee.Openness to new ideas - Having a willingness to learn as well as teach.Patience. Perseverance. Honesty. Integrity. Commitment.A sense of fairness - observing & communicating both the positive & negative in a situation. Sensitivity to the mentee's strengths and weaknesses, intellectual and emotional development. An ability and willingness to work with the mentee on his/her challenges and needs.
For mentoring in work situations, the mentor may require technical knowledge (how to get the job done). This requirement will vary from need and requirement. In some instances it may be necessary for the mentor to teach skills to the mentee. If this is the situation, then the mentor must have the technical knowledge and the ability to communicate with the skills needed. In other circumstances, it may be sufficient for the mentor to know where and/or how the technical knowledge can be obtained.
Tip - This list of characteristics may seem to exclude many people from being a mentor. Not so! Awareness of the characteristics is more important than possessing them at the beginning of a mentoring relationship. Mentors can (and most probably will!) develop many characteristics while working with one or more mentees. We are all learning in life.
Establishing a Mentoring Relationship
Now that we have an individual who wants to grow as a person (mentee), and have selected a suitable mentor, (or mentors) the next stage is to establish a mentoring relationship.
While the mentoring relationship is an informal one, it is best to give it some structure.
There are three basic questions:
Where are we going, what is the desired goal?
Where are we now?
What do we need to do to get to the desired goal?
The mentor is best to lead a discussion with the mentee along the following lines:
What are the mentee’s desired goals?
What is the current situation?
What steps must the mentee take to reach his/her desired goal?
What resources for the goal are available to the mentee and mentor?
What resources need to be obtained from elsewhere?
Resources to be a better mentor include:
The mentor, Other mentors, Training Courses
The mentee (skills and aptitudes are identified through the personal profile).
Skilled professionals such as teachers, doctor and nurses.
Schools, colleges, universities, books, video and cassettes.
Parents, other relatives, colleagues, libraries and museums.
Government, government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, pastors, counselors & friends.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Mentor Moments
What is a mentor moment? A Mentor Moment is when someone comes into your life and offer you a moment of wisdom that teaches, coaches or steers you in a forward moving direction. A mentor moment can come from any source and may only be the only connection you will have. Meeting someone on an airplane, bus or train and they impart a saying, a tip or a direction that will support you in moving forward in your life is a mentor moment. You can create relationships with people who can provide you with many mentor moments or a one time mentor moment. Once you learn what you need from the person you go on about life and pass on your moments to others in the future.
You can also be the teacher of a mentor moment! Are you looking for ways to enhance other peoples lives? Do you have a piece of wisdom in the moment that could support someone else? Do you take the time out to see how you can impart wisdom into someone else’s life? Where can you coach, teach or steer someone in a forward moving direction? Where can you impart a bit of wisdom into the life of another? A family member, friend, co-worker, teen, child or a stranger?
I was on an airplane and spoke to a woman across the isle. She was reading a book I recently read and heard the author speak. We shared a few moments about the book and I was able to share with her my experience with the author. It was a nice exchange. We began talking about what we each do in life. She was intrigued with my share about coaching and supporting leaders. As we got off the plane she said she appreciated talking to me and I inspired her to go out there and teach others what she has experienced in her life. She is a retired professional team calf roper. She has won many awards and big belt buckles. She told me she was inspired to go back out to the roping industry and teach the newer people some of the lessons she has learned. What a great moment we shared.
Do you take the time to talk to the person next to you on local transit? How about in the line at the store, bank or doctors office? You never know who you are meant to impart wisdom into or who has a nugget for you. So go out there and create moments to be a mentor and receive mentor moments for yourself. I heard about "Mentor Moments" from a speaker who challenged the audience to connect and creating more of these moments in thier lives. I have since kept in touch with her and we have the connection to give and receive Mentor Moments.
You can also be the teacher of a mentor moment! Are you looking for ways to enhance other peoples lives? Do you have a piece of wisdom in the moment that could support someone else? Do you take the time out to see how you can impart wisdom into someone else’s life? Where can you coach, teach or steer someone in a forward moving direction? Where can you impart a bit of wisdom into the life of another? A family member, friend, co-worker, teen, child or a stranger?
I was on an airplane and spoke to a woman across the isle. She was reading a book I recently read and heard the author speak. We shared a few moments about the book and I was able to share with her my experience with the author. It was a nice exchange. We began talking about what we each do in life. She was intrigued with my share about coaching and supporting leaders. As we got off the plane she said she appreciated talking to me and I inspired her to go out there and teach others what she has experienced in her life. She is a retired professional team calf roper. She has won many awards and big belt buckles. She told me she was inspired to go back out to the roping industry and teach the newer people some of the lessons she has learned. What a great moment we shared.
Do you take the time to talk to the person next to you on local transit? How about in the line at the store, bank or doctors office? You never know who you are meant to impart wisdom into or who has a nugget for you. So go out there and create moments to be a mentor and receive mentor moments for yourself. I heard about "Mentor Moments" from a speaker who challenged the audience to connect and creating more of these moments in thier lives. I have since kept in touch with her and we have the connection to give and receive Mentor Moments.
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