7 Hacks for Becoming a #SuperMentor
Being a mentor at work is a powerful way to build relationships and elevate your ability to develop your organization's talent. As your mentee’s guide, you can leverage certain superpowers to get the most out of your mentoring partnership. Here are our favorite 7 super-hacks for keeping your relationship revved and energized:
🎉 1. Be Credible and Positive.
Mentees respect mentors who are credible and positive. They learn just from observing how you behave in situations. Your actions will guide your mentee as much (or more) as anything you say. Be aware of the energy you bring to your mentoring meetings. Your positivity will have a “ripple effect” on your mentee.
💥 2. Share Your Stories.
Describe your experiences and how they affected you. Talk about what worked for you in the past and what didn’t. Be open about mistakes you’ve made in your professional life. Help your mentee see that learning from missteps can be one of the best ways to grow.
🏆 3. Acknowledge Your Mentee’s Achievements.
Acknowledging small wins propels your mentee’s development and fosters your connection. Plus, simply noticing his/her achievements will build their confidence!
🌟 4. Let Your Mentee Make Their Own Decisions.
You possess all kinds of accumulated wisdom. It’d be easy to simply tell your mentee what to do. However, it would deprive your mentee of thinking through challenges to derive their own solutions. Plus, it wouldn’t allow them to learn by trial and error.
🗝 5. Listen. Then Ask Questions. Advise Last.
When talking with your mentee, ask open ended questions to allow them to verbalize and fully think through their options. Really hear what the mentee has to say. Ask for their point of view before sharing yours. When (and if) you provide advice, begin by asking permission to do so.
🚀 6. Explore Growth Opportunities for Your Mentee.
Point your mentee to reading materials, videos or podcasts that may reinforce their learning goals. Suggest meetings, committees or projects they might consider participating in. If it feels appropriate, introduce them to others who have an area of expertise you cannot help them with.
💛 7. Savor Time Together.
The mentoring cycle will close in the blink of an eye. Joking, laughing and not taking yourselves too seriously enhances your mentoring experience. Celebrate your success and growth along the journey.
Interested in learning how workplace mentoring can propel talent in your organization? Schedule a quick chat with Legacy Talent Development or email us at jeanne@legacytalentdevelopment.com for more info.