Remote mentoring can be a rewarding and effective way to share your expertise, support others, and grow your network. But it also comes with some unique challenges, such as communication, feedback, rapport, and engagement. How do you improve as a remote mentor and make the most of your online interactions? Here are some tips to help you enhance your skills and deliver value to your mentees.
One of the first steps to improve as a remote mentor is to establish clear and realistic expectations with your mentees. This includes defining the goals, scope, frequency, and format of your sessions, as well as the roles and responsibilities of both parties. By setting expectations upfront, you can avoid confusion, frustration, and disappointment later on. You can also use this opportunity to learn more about your mentees' backgrounds, needs, and preferences, and tailor your approach accordingly.
One thing I'd like to mention is if possible on a remote mentorship program at least work in a in person visit occasionally. Virtual meetups are great and they have their benefits but there's always a great sit down meal and get the full experience
I mentor people across the globe so visits are not possible. However, sharing photos is a nice way to help bridge the gap. Just receiving graduation photos or a photo of one's temporary living quarters can communicate a lot.
Communication is key to any successful mentoring relationship, but especially so when you are not in the same physical space. You need to communicate effectively with your mentees using the appropriate tools, channels, and styles. This means choosing the best platform for your sessions, whether it is video, audio, chat, or email, and ensuring that you have a reliable connection and a quiet environment. It also means using clear, concise, and respectful language, and avoiding jargon, slang, or sarcasm that might cause misunderstanding. Additionally, you need to communicate regularly with your mentees, and follow up on their progress, questions, and feedback.
Communication also means being able to understand verbal prompts like handling silence or other distractions that come up. Sometimes the best communication skill is NO communication at all - i's listening to your mentee and thinking before replying back or commenting
Feedback is essential for learning and improvement, and as a remote mentor, you need to provide constructive and timely feedback to your mentees. This means giving specific, actionable, and balanced suggestions that help them achieve their goals and overcome their challenges. You also need to be mindful of the tone and delivery of your feedback, and use positive reinforcement, empathy, and encouragement to boost their confidence and motivation. Moreover, you need to solicit feedback from your mentees, and use it to improve your own mentoring skills and style.
Probably the best advice is during the sessions make a point to listen all the way without interruption and then when appropriate provide a feedback to make sure you let them know they were heard but also use open-ended sentences to keep the conversation rolling where they can add to it
Another way to improve as a remote mentor is to build rapport and trust with your mentees. This can be challenging when you are not able to meet face-to-face, but there are some strategies that can help you create a positive and supportive relationship. For example, you can show genuine interest in your mentees' personal and professional lives, and share some of your own stories and experiences. You can also use humor, icebreakers, and games to lighten the mood and break the ice. Furthermore, you can demonstrate reliability, honesty, and respect, and honor your commitments and agreements.
I use some professional mistakes that when learned from became a powerful tool towards becoming a teachable moment. Sometimes when you make a mistake your reputation and your relationship you work so hard for can back you up and become a powerful Ally and you come out stronger than ever by showing your honesty as well as team building where everyone benefits
Finally, to improve as a remote mentor, you need to engage and inspire your mentees. This means creating a stimulating and interactive learning environment, where you can share your knowledge, insights, and resources, and challenge them to think critically and creatively. It also means recognizing and celebrating their achievements, and acknowledging their efforts and potential. Additionally, you can inspire your mentees by sharing your vision, values, and passion, and by modeling the behaviors and attitudes that you want them to emulate.
Very important aspect, I try as much as I can to sharing my passion for the specific field and the vision for their growth, because it can easily inspire mentees. When they see your enthusiasm, it can motivate them to pursue their goals with equal vigor.
Make sure you and your mentee are comfortable with the chosen technology you use - whether it be online through Zoom or Teams, or something simpler like ongoing phone calls. And whatever you choose, have a test call (I call it an introductory session) so you're starting from the same place.
In remote mentoring, it's essential to be proactive, flexible, and empathetic. I always try to remember myself that the mentee's growth and development are at the center of the relationship, and my role as a mentor is to guide and support the persons in the most effective way possible, regardless of the distance that separates us.