How do you balance directive and non-directive mentoring approaches?

1 What is directive mentoring?

Directive mentoring is when you provide clear guidance, feedback, and instructions to your mentee. You share your expertise, experience, and knowledge, and offer specific suggestions and solutions. Directive mentoring can be useful when your mentee is new to a task, skill, or role, and needs to learn the basics quickly and efficiently. It can also help when your mentee faces a complex or urgent problem, and needs your input and support.

2 What is non-directive mentoring?

Non-directive mentoring is when you facilitate your mentee's self-discovery, reflection, and decision-making. You ask open-ended questions, listen actively, and encourage your mentee to explore their own ideas, feelings, and goals. Non-directive mentoring can be beneficial when your mentee has some experience and confidence, and wants to develop their creativity, autonomy, and critical thinking. It can also help when your mentee has a personal or professional dilemma, and needs your empathy and respect.

3 How to assess your mentee's needs and preferences?

To balance directive and non-directive mentoring approaches, you need to understand your mentee's needs and preferences. Ask your mentee what they expect and want from the mentoring relationship, as well as how they like to learn and communicate. Additionally, observe their behavior, performance, and feedback, so that you can identify their strengths, weaknesses, and challenges. Furthermore, adapt your mentoring style to your mentee's level of competence, confidence, and motivation, as well as to the context and purpose of each session.

4 How to switch between directive and non-directive mentoring?

To switch between directive and non-directive mentoring, you need to be flexible, responsive, and respectful. Regular check-ins with your mentee, asking for their permission and feedback before changing your approach, are essential. Additionally, it is important to explain the reasons and benefits of using different mentoring styles, and how they can help your mentee achieve their goals. To do this, use a mix of directive and non-directive techniques, such as sharing examples, stories, and resources; asking probing and clarifying questions; summarizing and paraphrasing; and acknowledging and praising.

5 How to avoid common pitfalls of directive and non-directive mentoring?

In order to avoid common pitfalls of directive and non-directive mentoring, you should be mindful of the potential drawbacks and risks associated with each approach. It is important to find the right balance between being directive and non-directive, as this can prevent your mentee from feeling overwhelmed or frustrated. Furthermore, you should avoid imposing your opinions, values, or solutions on your mentee, as this can erode their trust and autonomy. Additionally, it is important to refrain from making assumptions, judgments, or criticisms about your mentee as this can negatively affect the rapport and respect.

6 How to evaluate your mentoring effectiveness?

To evaluate your mentoring effectiveness, you need to measure the outcomes and impact of your mentoring sessions. This can be done by setting SMART goals with your mentee and tracking their progress and achievements. Additionally, you should ask your mentee for feedback on your mentoring style, techniques, and relationship to identify areas for improvement. Lastly, take time to reflect on your own learning and development as a mentor, and seek feedback from peers, supervisors, or experts.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?