A successful mentoring relationship is based on a plan. If you are just meeting your mentee occasionally without a specific plan, you are not as effective as you can be. A great mentoring relationship is built on plan to help, grow, lead your mentee.
If you don’t have a plan, consider these three points to get started.
1. Sharing – What meaningful experiences do you have that would benefit your mentee? How can you convey the story of your experience so that it connects with your mentee so that they understand the significance?
2. Development – What area of development does your mentee need that you can provide guidance? What knowledge, skills, experiences do they need? How can you help them develop in this area?
3. Coaching – If you only tell your story and your opinions, your effectiveness will be limited. A person is more likely to follow through on a plan if it is their plan. Ask questions of your mentee. Listen to their aspirations, and let them create and commit to their own growth plan.
Finding the right blend of these three areas will be different for each person, but excluding one of them will limit your effectiveness as a mentor.