What is mentorship Flashcards
What is mentorship?
Mentoring is the transmission of tactical experience and advice, whereas asking lots of questions to encourage self-exploration would be more in the realm of coaching. The mentoring relationship can include less-tactical components as well to facilitate the relationship, but the primary component or motivation is tactical. And I think it’s more effective when it happens between people with:
- Broadly compatible values (so each feels seen/heard - respect), and
- Who’ve had to surmount similar obstacles (relevancy).
Because the mentor and mentee need to be able to relate effectively and feel that they are on side with each other.
What is mentorship NOT?
Mentoring is not doling out unsolicited advice, or pushing an agenda the mentee has no interest in. If you want to mentor someone, you need to gently probe and listen to find out what is the state of their knowledge and confidence, what are their needs and goals. What path are they on, and what path do they want to be on? And how can they get from A to B, or solve X and Y? Mentorship should be directed by the mentee, and should help them build context around the obstacles or challenges they’re facing. We’re actually giving a workshop on mentorship in the workplace on Monday, if you’d like to find out more on the how-to side.
