Chapter 3: The "How To's" of Mentoring

While a coach will tend to interact with an employee in the workplace when there is something new to be learned, a mentor will sustain an ongoing relationship with the employee that encompasses a wider range and depth of learning opportunities and interactions. Both the mentor and your mentee must agree on the time commitment involved in the mentoring process. There is a time element on the part of both the mentor and the mentee that must be honored and respected.

   
As a workplace mentor, your role is to help employees develop skills and knowledge about their job. How do you do this?

A Mentor helps employees strengthen their understanding of company processes; be a more informed part of the company’s direction for the future; and clarify and focus their personal and professional goals within the organization

A very useful technique is to assess what the employee already knows by observing them and asking questions. Understanding their starting point will help you to help them take their learning to the next step. By being familiar with their skills sets and their learning needs, you are adding to the employee's skills and knowledge, while respecting their personal learning process.