Mentoring

Dear Debbie,
A young woman at my company has asked me to mentor her and I've agreed. I've never mentored anyone before...do you have any advice for me?

She’s given you a great compliment by asking for your help. It is obvious that she admires you, looks up to you, and wants to learn from you. Mentoring can and should be very rewarding for both the mentor and the mentee and many times can lead to long-term, successful professional relationships. Think of this as an opportunity for you to grow as well a chance to positively impact another person’s career.
Look at the reasons why she has asked you to mentor her and find out where she specifically feels she needs guidance. I would start with a general discussion to find out how long has she been in the organization (if you don’t already know), her education and experience, and whether she needs advice on career opportunities or whether she is looking for a better understanding of what additional technical skills she may need to develop. These are the types of questions which will lay the groundwork for you to know what kind of specific help and guidance she is seeking.
A mentoring relationship should be one in which there is mutual respect and trust, and confidentiality is a must. Remember, your advice and guidance will help shape her thinking and will ultimately influence her future career path. My mentoring experiences have been very rewarding and afforded opportunities for my own growth as well as a chance to help others to grow. Be sure to watch for your own chances to develop through this special relationship.
Keep in mind that there will be times when simply listening is your primary role. Let your mentee talk through situations and decision making processes. There may be situations in which you simply offer your support and affirmation while other times you may be asked to provide input regarding difficult challenges. Keep in mind that you are the more experienced person in the relationship, and sharing your expertise is how your mentee will learn.
As I mentioned in a previous post about executive coaching, a mentoring relationship usually has fairly broad objectives. Be yourself, share the wisdom and knowledge that has supported you in your success, and you will be a fabulous mentor.