Mentoring Processes & Outcomes
Processes
Decide what assistance you need
Do you want to perform better in your job? Are you trying to figure out how to climb the corporate ladder? Do you want to be considered for more high-powered job assignments? Do you have an interest in working another department? Would you like to improve your presentation skills so you can deliver more presentations? Are you interested in managing a project for your company?
Trust and respect your mentor
Every meaningful relationship is built on the foundation of trust and respect. You must trust your mentor to provide you with expert guidance, feedback and support, based on their life experiences. Respect their opinions and ideas for the same reason because your mentor has lived through challenges that you may not have yet experienced.
Establish ground rules
Determine how often you will meet, how long your relationship will last, outline of roles, importance of confidentiality and preferred methods of communication and feedback.
Outcomes
Determine your outcomes
What do you want to have happen to you at the end of the relationship? Discuss this with your mentor. Assess the outcomes at the end of the process but ensure that as you go along you can see the end in sight.
Open your mind and heart
Learning from someone who has more experience than you do and who can share successes and failures openly is a tremendous gift. The key to getting the most out of the relationship is your ability to enter into the relationship with as open a mind and heart as possible.