I am often asked what Mentoring is and indeed it is easy to confuse a mentor with coaching. The following table detail’s some of the main differences:
What is a Mentor?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “An experienced and trusted adviser” or as Bob Proctor puts it:
Personally I resonate with the definition by Palmer 1993 who defines mentoring as “… someone who provides an enabling relationship which facilitates another’s growth and development”
Mentoring is also described by The Industrial Society as “a confidential, one-to-one relationship in which an individual uses a more experienced person as a sounding board and for guidance. It is a protected, non-judgmental relationship which facilitates a wide range of learning experimentation and development”
What is a Mentoring Arrangement?
To be sustainable and healthy, mentoring must be a two-way street. Whilst it is very much a self directed learning and a flexible arrangement, where the mentee is responsible for driving the agenda and setting the topics of conversation, it is essential that both parties give 110% to the relationship.
Overall Benefits of Mentoring include:
- Personal /Career development
- Helping you find direction
- Increases self confidence and self esteem
- Keeps you focussed on what’s important
- Access to a supportive environment to test ideas
- Strengthens knowledge
- Opportunities to develop network’s and contacts
- Stretches and challenges individuals
- Boosts overall wellbeing
A Mentor Helps Inspire you
As an entrepreneur, it’s exciting to go it alone and create something on your own. However, the reality is that, while you have a great idea, you may not know exactly what you should be doing with your business at which times to develop it into a sustainable business.
You know you can be an entrepreneur, but cannot find the inspiration to get yourself motivated to work 24/7. In most cases, inspiration comes from within.
Becoming a professional success is an incredibly complex process, and the core competency you need to manifest in a profession may be the least of your worries. A mentor who has been down the road you want to travel can help you find the right path. A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. They are there no matter what and offer moral support sprinkled heavily with cheerleading.
Is A Mentor Right for You at This Time?
Your career/ business is part of your life and great mentoring can change you on many levels, not just the way you work and therefore I believe that mentors are vital to career and business success.
You can have different mentors in a variety of areas of life such as career, business, fitness, health, finance, public speaking etc therefore if looking for a mentor, actively seek out ways they can add value to your life.
I personally do quite a bit of work in the mentoring field – I am a mentor, I have a mentor and I help train people to be good mentors.
If you are someone who values ongoing learning and growth and is emotionally and psychologically prepared to invest time and effort in yourself, then please contact me for a Free 30 minute consultation.
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