Becoming a Mentor: 5 Tips From our Guest Mentors!

As we listen to mentors on the Mentor Meet-Up podcast, we are beginning to hear a few reoccurring themes! As we know, mentors come in all shapes and sizes and are found in all disciplines. What we want to know is how can these relationships revolutionize learning? How can a teacher-mentor lean on organizations to help enhance their curriculum? How can organizations support entrepreneurs? How are mentorship and environmental stewardship linked? Regardless of the questions begin asked here are similar responses:
1. Listen— Mentees and learners will often tell you what they need to know or how you can best help. Listening will set the stage for co-development and collaboration (and save you time and resources in the long run!)
2. Mentorship goes both ways—Approach the process of mentorship as a learning experience.
3. Be a sounding board—Sometimes mentees or learners don't need advice they just need a sounding board to try out new language, summarize and synthesize, or say something out loud for the first time.
4. Set S.M.A.R.T. goals—Other times, mentees or learners will need advice, reach a goal, or learn a new skill. Using the S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) goal framework will create tasks that move the learner forward.
5. Be a connector—Being a connector is being a champion for your leaners. We all need champions in this life and sometimes all it takes is an introduction or a connection to a program.