How to Become a Better Mentor?

You cannot become a better mentor, it’s a constant journey of evolving with the experiences gained through various professional and personal life cycles. To be a better mentor requires an open and agile mind.

You will become a better mentor each time you offer something better to the mentee. A great mentor will show characteristics of empathy, sensitivity, and patience. A Harvard Business Review study finds that one of the top requirements of an employee from the organization is mentorship and coaching. We list here a few organic steps a mentor could undertake to become better.   

Set Expectations Together 

At the very onset, setting expectations and goals together is advisable. Once you know the framework of the relationship, discuss with the mentee the road ahead. Clearly, spelling out expectations will lead to a smooth relationship ahead. Discuss with the mentee specific areas where the advice will be needed. Initially, it should be defined how often and how much hands-on mentoring will be required. While talking together, compatibility between the mentor and the mentee should also be figured out.  

Listen and Listen More

As a mentor, you must show a genuine interest in the mentee as a person, and this is possible only when you actively and attentively listen to the mentee. When clear communication is established between a mentor and the mentee, it paves the way for a fruitful relationship ahead. With attentive listening, the mentor should strike a trustful relationship with the mentee.

Nurture on a Personal Level

For the relationship to bloom during the period, it is essential for the coach to understand the mentee on a personal level. A mentee also improves on a personal level, even if the mentor guides her professionally. The mentor should talk to the mentees as much as possible to figure out their background, skills, social interactions, and goals.

A mentee needs to be nurtured on a personal level to reach professional goals. The mentor would even act as a sounding board. With his vast experience and wisdom, the mentor can instill confidence in the mentee to make decisions and feel empowered.  

Offer Timely Advice

Since you will closely watch the mentee, you might find it tempting to hand hold her more often than required. Mentoring should not mean making the mentee dependent on you entirely. The mentee should retain her independent decision-making power. You should offer advice or suggestions only after carefully understanding the situation.

You might decide to offer your advice later after studying or brainstorming more. Always hold back and, after due consideration, come back with a suggestion or solution since it will be valuable to the mentee. Remember to give clear advice based on logic and reasoning.  

Share Your Journey 

Again, this builds a lot of trust. When the coach shares her own journey full of challenges and how she overcame them with critical thinking and problem solving acquired over time, it reinforces a mentee’s faith in the mentor. Hearing about the mentor’s journey will enable the mentee to have confidence and owe the mistakes.  

Share Your Resources 

A mentee may expect you to share your resources and network; therefore, you should share as much as possible. Another way is that the mentor creates situations from which the mentee can absorb and even reach closer to their goals. You can connect your mentees with a powerful resource or recommend a conference with relevant takeaways.

A mentor, knowing the core areas of the mentee, would provide opportunities to improve, connect and maximize the situation.  

Remain Empathetic 

This is required from a mentor at each stage. A mentee would appreciate an empathetic attitude from the mentor. Since the mentee may find it overwhelming in many situations, a sympathetic shoulder from the mentor is what will keep the mentee going. Under no circumstance should your mentees find you criticizing them. The mentee is looking for support and positive advice from you. An empathetic attitude along with positive feedback will help the mentee move ahead with confidence.  

End Thoughts 

Mentoring is a relationship highly valued by the mentee. A successful and effective relationship will be based on commitment and trust. Becoming a guiding force requires constant effort and application. When a mentor sees a mentee performing better due to her guidance, it comes as a great reward apart from gaining a lifetime of loyalty.