Mentoring References
Last updated 2nd October, 2011
Mentoring Tips
(4 SWE Webinars presented in 2010 by Kim Zilliox, VP, Women’s Leadership Coaching Inc)
MENTEES:
Respect your mentor
Take the advice
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Share your wins with your mentor
Show thanks
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Thank you card/email
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See how you can help your mentor
Not sure what to ask? Here’s some starter questions:
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What should I be doing to increase my SWE participation at the region level?
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How would you encourage more participation at SWE events?
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I want to be a SWE President someday! How would I do that?
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In your experience, what did you do when…?
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What else should I consider when…?
MENTORS:
Set expectations!
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What does the mentee want out of the relationship? Is she looking for coaching, advice or sponsorship?
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What style of mentoring (i.e. formal, casual, face to face, emails) works best for the both of you?
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How frequent should you meet/talk?
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Confidentiality of discussions
Know your limitations as a mentor
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If you don’t know the answer to a question, find out who has the right answer (this helps build trust, too!)
Talk about your own experiences
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But not your problems
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It will help spark further discussion
Be a good listener
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Show that you understand by paraphrasing what your mentee is saying
Ask for feedback
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Has your mentee learned anything?
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How can you be available in the future?
The following webinars are available to SWE members.
Finding a Mentor: How to Find the Right Mentor for You and Create the Foundation of an Effective Mentoring Relationship (Part 1 of 4)
Leveraging the Mentor Relationship: How to Get the Most from the relationship and Find Sponsors, Coaches, and Peer Partners (Part 2 of 4)
Being An Affective Mentor: What Is My Role And How Can I Help My Mentee? (Part 3 of 4)
Mentoring Across Generations: Help! I’m Mentoring A Millenial, What Do I Do? (Part 4 of 4)