What is a Mentor? A mentor is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as an “experienced and trusted adviser”. This description reflects how we would like to see mentors work with their mentees. Your role as mentor will cover at least some of the following:
• Listen
• Ask questions to help develop your’s and the mentee’s understanding of a situation or problem
• Provide information and knowledge and share informal networks
• Provide advice on career development
• Offer different perspectives
• Provide support and encouragement
• Provide an insight into your work and career
• Offer guidance and advice in regards to qualifications
• Be a sounding board
• Be a critical friend
• Encourage self reflection
• Help mentees identify areas for development
As a mentor you will have the opportunity to use your experience and knowledge in a facilitative manner to support the development of the mentee. However, the responsibility for making things happen and putting plans into action lies primarily with the mentee - not with you.
Why Mentoring?
• It has flexibility – mentoring can happen in so many ways and under lots of different circumstances
• Is an off line activity- it is not a role carried out by the mentee’s line manager although mentoring conversations can become part of day to day activity and don’t always need to be scheduled
• It relates to work and the job
• It is individual – each relationship will be unique to those two individuals involved
• It is people centred
• It provides a feedback system- feedback is central to mentoring and is a great tool to enhance and embed learning
• It is broad in focus – it should meet the needs of the mentee and mentor
• It is not exclusive – but actually complements other methods of learning