Mentoring Advice: Tips for Mentees | Article

A successful mentoring relationship allows mentees to access a pool of experience that is larger, or at least different, from their own.  It is a trusting relationship where mentees can discuss issues and concerns in confidence, benefitting from their mentor’s advice and experience. Based on The Whitehall & Industry Group’s decades of experience brokering mentoring relationships, our talent team has outlined tips to help mentees have a productive mentoring relationship.

Be clear on your needs. Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound (SMART) goals and come prepared to each meeting with an overview or an outline of what you want to accomplish during your session. SMART goals help you progress quicker and stay on track. When both you and your mentor are clear on the target outcome, you can both work together to reach it and share that sense of accomplishment. However, don’t also dismiss more general discussions that broaden your thinking and perspective as these too are important for successful mentoring relationships.

Be proactive. Your mentor is there to guide you to success - however you have both defined success. They are there as an objective sounding board and provide an experienced yet neutral ear. Often, they will allow you the space to come to your own conclusions on certain issues. Follow up by communicating how you have implemented their advice or the advice you may have come to on your own during the discussion. 

Be honest. If you disagree with something, don’t be afraid to share that, as it will lead to a much more fruitful and authentic discussion. 

Be open to feedback. Your mentor may be able to objectively identify and relay destructive patterns that might be hindering your success. Remember not to take this too personally and remain receptive to mentoring, as they are there to help you improve.

Written by

Katy manages our Talent function, designed to maximise cross-sector learning through operational exposure and one-to-one coaching. Within this she helps co-ordinate and run the Charity Next programme, arrange and facilitate both secondments and mentoring opportunities between sectors. She also directly recruits as part of NED and Trustee recruitment.

 

Before joining WIG, Katy worked as a Director for Badenoch & Clark, a specialist professional services recruitment company, personally specialising in senior level recruitment to Social Housing, Not-For-Profit and Local Government, as well as sitting on their operational board.

 

She sits on a customer committee for a Housing Association, and as a Trustee for a Grant Giving Charity. And in her spare time, when not looking after her three children, she enjoys swimming, running and skiing.

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