MENTORING: NEEDS, ROLES, AND YOU

MENTORING: NEEDS, ROLES, AND YOU Denise S. Carpenter, PHR HR-Training and Development April 2006 What is your definition of the word MENTOR? What are the roles or types of things you feel a mentor should do? Traditional Or Historical Definition Of A Mentor A person with experience and power within an organization who adopts a younger, less experienced protégé and helps him or her up the organizational ladder. Definition Of Mentor Has Evolved Into A person willing to share direct experience in a life area (business, career, worklife balance, etc.) by assisting someone ready to grow in the same life area. The Role of A Mentor Promote honest, confidential sharing Provide candid feedback Share unique experiences and knowledge Guide, counsel, support, coach, and encourage The Role Of A Mentor Teach Model Inform Confirm Prescribe Question Encourage Affirm Inspire Challenge Support Counsel Listen Probe Clarify Advise Befriend Accept Relate You Should Not Expect A Mentor To Spend more time on the mentor/mentee relationship than you are willing to spend Offer you a new job Perform your job responsibilities Help extensively with personal problems Own Your Own Career You are responsible for your career A mentor can provide valuable advice and help you reflect on, and learn from, experiences It is up to you to take initiative, demonstrate your capabilities, and seize opportunities Finding A Mentor Self select each other Ask reliable sources Finding A Mentor Does the individual have a past history of mentoring others? Does the person have experience in the life area you want to grow in? Is the person excited about learning and continuing their own development? Your Role As A Mentee Be open to hearing and considering new options, avoid defensiveness Define needs clearly Seek specific examples Keep confidences Your Role As A Mentee Respect your mentor’s time – commit to assignments, so that the support you receive will be most beneficial Complete appropriate “homework” for meetings with the mentor Accept responsibility for your own career Mentoring Is Part Of Being A Professional Mentor others Mentor as part of your personal and professional growth Mentoring Is A Two-Way Relationship Respect Trust Partnership Building Realistic Expectations and Self Perception Time is Valuable Life Evolves – Careers Evolve You will not have the same mentor forever You will outgrow your mentor In some instances you may need more than one mentor What Gets Rewarded Gets Repeated Who has mentored you? Who do you see who is mentoring others? Acknowledge and express appreciation to people who mentor Mentoring Is Not Just For Faculty and A&P Employees Also an accountability/ responsibility of classified employees Recognize classified employees who mentor Mentoring Is Not Just For Faculty And A&P Employees You can formally recognize a mentor through the Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) President’s Award for Mentoring Women CSW President’s Award For Mentoring Women Which classified employee(s) have mentored you or are mentoring you now? Nominees and recipients can be a female or male who mentor a female The mentor relationship may be a close, one-on-one personal association, or be a brief encounter with a profound effect or have a beneficial life-altering effect “As I grow, part of my emotional survival plan must be to actively seek inspiration instead of passively waiting for it to find me.” -- Bebe Moore Campbell References For This Presentation And “Denise’s Tips” Sheets Carr-Ruffino, N. 2004. “The Promotable Woman”. “Mentor Handbook”, Office of Civilian Personnel Manemnt, Dept. of Navy, June 1993. Kirchem, RG. 1998. “Mentoring Employees “Women In Focus Forum”, Chambers Communications and Training Techniques, LLC. 2003. References For This Presentation And “Denise’s Tips” Sheets O’Neill, PN. 2005. “Mentoring: Needs, Roles, Process and Selection for Your AALDP Initiative”. Mason, C. and Bailey, E. “Benefits and Pitfalls of Mentoring” Thank You for Your Time!