I spent Sunday afternoon putting together “easy to assemble” shelving in my new office. The directions on the packaging seemed simple. The only tools required a mallet and “a chisel to help the pins slide in” but the task proved more challenging than it looked. Even with my darling man’s lifetime of experience in construction, […]
Coaching Club Or One-to-one?
Here’s a question I recently answered on LinkedIn: I’m doing some research and interested to hear from those who have participated in either or both of the above. Have you joined a coaching club and how did that work for you? Or do you prefer one-on-one coaching and why? Group mentoring or coaching needs skilful […]
Vincent asks:
Vincent’s Question: Recently a well established professional’s organization (one that I pay yearly dues for) connected me with a mentor as part of their offering. As it turned out, the mentor was not commited to what I consider the special relationship of mentor / mentee. After about a month of initial conversation, his interest was […]
Jeremy asks: How do I establish and maintain mentoring relationships when people are geographically distant from each other?
Answer: Get them face-to-face at the start of the relationship. Distance relationships can be very productive. Breaking the ice and establishing rapport is so much easier, face-to-face. Begin with a function that brings participants together. The investment outweighs the cost of a failed relationship. If you cannot get together, video calls are better than telephone, […]
Janet Asks: How do I provide adequate support to mentors?
Answer: Build it into your plan and budget. Supporting mentors is vital to their effectiveness. It takes time, money and effort and needs to be factored into the mentoring program. Personal contact, general communication and group sessions will help mentors do their job well. Talk face-to-face, by phone or email. Contact every mentor, regularly. Have […]
Janet Asks: How do I provide adequate support to mentors?
Answer: Build it into your plan and budget. Supporting mentors is vital to their effectiveness. It takes time, money and effort and needs to be factored into the mentoring program. Personal contact, general communication and group sessions will help mentors do their job well. Talk face-to-face, by phone or email. Contact every mentor, regularly. Have […]
Michael Asks: How do I convince mentees that contacting their mentor is not ‘bothering them’?
“How do I convince mentees that contacting their mentor is not ‘bothering them’?” Answer: Provide evidence from mentors that they enjoy, value and welcome contact. If mentees are told, clearly and unequivocally that contact is welcome, expected and their responsibility, they will do it. It may come as a surprise to those mentored that mentors […]
Michael Asks: How do I convince mentees that contacting their mentor is not ‘bothering them’?
Answer: Provide evidence from mentors that they enjoy, value and welcome contact. If mentees are told, clearly and unequivocally that contact is welcome, expected and their responsibility, they will do it. It may come as a surprise to those mentored that mentors do, in fact, get something out of mentoring. Your job is to act […]
Donna asks: How do I ensure mentees remain committed?
Answer: Talk to them often. Two-way communication keeps people engaged. If they are ignored they easily fade away. Have personal contact with each participant as well as mass communication with all participants. Find out what’s going well and what’s not. Be there for them and provide assistance where needed. Use all available mechanisms to deliver […]
Paul Asks: How do I get managers to give mentoring a priority in their busy work schedule?
Answer: Ensure the CEO communicates that mentoring is a priority. While CEO’s remain committed and communicate their expectations, managers get the message. You will have to reinforce your CEO’s commitment by constantly providing evidence of both the need for and the positive results of mentoring. You’ll also have to ensure his/her desire for manager involvement gets airplay. You will have […]
Mentoring Demystified
Receive our complimentary ebook when you subscribe to our newsletter. (We do not spam or share your details)
Follow @mentoringworks on Twitter
