How to make the most of the mentoring relationship
Mentoring relationships that deliver most value for both mentor and mentee are characterised by a number of behaviours:
- Openness – both parties are able to speak openly and without fear of feeling embarrassed
- Purposefulness – there is a clear sense of direction, although not necessarily very specific goals
- Challenge – they are prepared to question the accuracy and logic of what each other says
- Emotional engagement – they communicate on both rational and emotional levels; both are willing to share and explore emotional dimensions of issues raised
- They respect each other’s time – in particular by ring-fencing mentoring sessions in their diaries
- They view the mentoring relationship as much wider than the formal meetings – to include ad hoc interactions
- They spend adequate time preparing before each mentoring session and in reflection afterwards
- They have a “bias to action” – it’s not just a talking shop; the mentee commits to actions and follows through on them
- They combine being serious with being enjoyable – the conversations are often both stimulating and fun, even though the topic itself may be serious.
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