How can experienced professionals mentor entry-level professionals with different personalities?

1 Know your mentee

The first step to mentor someone with a different personality is to understand their strengths, weaknesses, goals, and motivations. You can use various tools and assessments, such as Myers-Briggs, DiSC, or StrengthsFinder, to identify your mentee's personality type and preferences. Alternatively, you can simply ask them open-ended questions and listen actively to their responses. Knowing your mentee will help you tailor your approach, style, and feedback to suit their needs and expectations.

2 Adapt your communication

The second step to mentor someone with a different personality is to adapt your communication to their preferred mode, tone, and frequency. For example, if your mentee is an introvert, they may appreciate more written, asynchronous, and reflective communication, while if they are an extrovert, they may prefer more verbal, synchronous, and interactive communication. Similarly, if your mentee is a thinker, they may respond well to logical, factual, and direct feedback, while if they are a feeler, they may need more emotional, personal, and supportive feedback. You can also ask your mentee how they like to communicate and receive feedback, and adjust accordingly.

3 Respect your differences

The third step to mentor someone with a different personality is to respect your differences and avoid imposing your own values, beliefs, and opinions on them. You may have different perspectives, approaches, and solutions to the same problem, and that is okay. Instead of judging, criticizing, or dismissing your mentee's ideas, try to understand where they are coming from, appreciate their diversity, and acknowledge their contributions. You can also learn from your mentee's different personality and broaden your own horizons.

4 Leverage your similarities

The fourth step to mentor someone with a different personality is to leverage your similarities and find common ground. You may have different personalities, but you also have some things in common, such as your industry, role, organization, or interests. You can use these similarities to build rapport, trust, and mutual understanding with your mentee. You can also share your own experiences, challenges, and successes that relate to your mentee's goals and aspirations, and offer your guidance, support, and encouragement.

6 Celebrate your achievements

The sixth step to mentor someone with a different personality is to celebrate your achievements and recognize your progress. You can do this by giving your mentee positive and specific feedback, praising their efforts and results, and rewarding their accomplishments. You can also celebrate your own achievements as a mentor, and reflect on how you have improved your skills, relationships, and impact. You can also solicit feedback from your mentee and others, and identify areas for improvement and development.