How to be a great mentor
Build an authentic relationship
First and foremost a mentoring relationship is a relationship – within professional boundaries, true, but still based on developing a connection that is meaningful for both parties. In Power Mentoring, authors Ellen Ensher and Susan Murphy identify key factors that need to be present in a mentoring relationship:
- Develop a deep understanding of each other’s work environment and issues
- Develop a mutual admiration society
- Treat each other as confidants instead of as competitors
- Be open to each other's influence and ideas
- Help each other to focus on solvable problems
- Consider the important role of gender, race, or generational differences in the relationship
Lead by example
Remember that your role as a mentor is not only to teach, but to be an example. How you approach problems and manage your day will be closely noted by your protégé. Be certain to:
- Make and keep commitments
- Manage your time – including time spent with your mentor
- Acknowledge and own mistakes, including those within the mentoring framework
- Communicate clearly and effectively
- Give credit where credit is due – don't play into the stereotype that mentors take credit for their protégé's ideas.
- Share your own professional network - and how to really build one.
Set goals
Part of what protégés look for in a mentor is help in achieving their goals – even when they have no idea how to do so. You should start with a framework for achieving success right from the beginning of your mentoring relationship.
The following questions, as related by Anthony Tjan on his Harvard Business Publishing blog, can help you and your protégé lay out a road map for their future success:
- What is it that you really want to be and do?
- What are you doing really well that is helping you get there?
- What are you not doing well that is preventing you from getting there?
- What will you do differently tomorrow to meet those challenges?
- How can I help / where do you need the most help?
Keep in mind that your protégé may not be able to articulate everything that he or she needs, but if you don't start out by asking, you may be being the best possible mentor you could be for yourself – or the other person.
