Top 6 mentoring tips from our mentoring team

January was mentoring month and if you were following us on Twitter or LinkedIn, you would have received many tips and resources on mentoring. If you missed it, check out these mentoring tips from our mentoring team:

1. Set goals for the mentoring relationship and agree on an action plan.  At the beginning, discuss mentee goals and priorities, and set out a realistic action plan on how to accomplish goals, identifying the resources and capacity required.  Discuss together your expectations, boundaries and confidentiality requirements.
2. Build trust, be open and non-judgmental.  Be willing to listen and learn from each other and engage.  Share suggestions without being too directive or prescriptive on the path forward.
3. Share, question and learn from each other.  Ask each other effective open-ended questions and leave the mentee with something to reflect on between meetings. Engage in active learning – act, reflect and dialogue on your successes and challenges along the road together.
4. Have courageous authentic conversations. Mentors have a unique opportunity to provide constructive and honest feedback in a safe and trusting environment. Don’t be afraid to speak openly to enhance and challenge the mentee’s personal and professional growth.
5. Provide encouragement. Have faith in your mentee’s skill set, build their confidence and motivate them for the road ahead.
6. Value your time together, come prepared.  The most effective meetings are when both parties come prepared to work and make strides in accomplishing the action plan.

 Find more tips and tools for successful mentoring in the Mentoring Handbook.