What are the best ways to develop a mentorship relationship with an expert in Facilitation?

1 Identify your needs and goals

Before you start looking for a mentor, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to learn and why. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a facilitator? What are the specific skills, tools, or techniques that you want to develop or improve? What are the challenges or opportunities that you face in your current or desired facilitation context? How do you measure your progress and success as a facilitator? Having a clear vision of your needs and goals will help you narrow down your search and communicate your expectations to potential mentors.

2 Find a suitable mentor

Once you have identified your needs and goals, you can start looking for a mentor who can meet them. There are many ways to find a facilitator who is willing and able to mentor you, such as asking for referrals from your network, browsing online platforms or communities, attending events or workshops, or reaching out to authors or speakers that you admire. When you find someone who interests you, do some research on their background, experience, style, and values. Look for someone who has the expertise, credibility, and reputation that you respect, and who shares your vision, passion, and curiosity for facilitation.

3 Initiate contact and build rapport

Once you have found a potential mentor, you need to initiate contact and build rapport with them. You can do this by sending them a polite and personalized email or message, introducing yourself, expressing your appreciation for their work, and explaining why you are interested in learning from them. You can also ask them if they are open to having a conversation with you, and suggest a time and mode that works for both of you. During the conversation, be respectful, curious, and honest. Ask them questions about their facilitation journey, challenges, and achievements. Share your needs and goals, and ask for their feedback and advice. Listen actively and attentively, and show your enthusiasm and gratitude.

4 Establish a mentorship agreement

If the conversation goes well and both of you agree to continue the mentorship relationship, it's important to establish a mentorship agreement that outlines the expectations, boundaries, and commitments of both parties. This agreement should include the purpose and objectives of the mentorship, as well as the roles and responsibilities of both the mentor and the mentee. You'll also need to specify the frequency, duration, and mode of communication and interaction, along with the topics, methods, and resources for learning and development. Additionally, feedback and evaluation mechanisms and criteria should be outlined, as well as confidentiality and ethical standards. Lastly, the duration and termination of the mentorship should be included. The mentorship agreement should be mutually agreed upon, written down, and reviewed regularly.

5 Follow through and follow up

Once you have established a mentorship agreement, it's important to follow through and follow up on your commitments and responsibilities. This includes preparing for each session by reviewing the previous feedback, setting the agenda, and doing the homework or assignments, as well as participating actively and respectfully in each session by asking questions, sharing insights, and applying the learning. Additionally, you should seek and receive feedback from your mentor, provide feedback to them in return, communicate regularly and promptly with them, and update them on your progress and challenges. Lastly, don't forget to celebrate your achievements and milestones, and thank your mentor for their help.

6 Review and reflect

Finally, you should review and reflect on your mentorship relationship and your facilitation development. This can be done by evaluating your progress and performance against set goals, assessing the effectiveness of the mentorship relationship, seeking feedback from mentors, peers, clients or participants on your facilitation skills and outcomes, documenting and sharing your learning and achievements, and recognizing the value and impact of the mentorship relationship. A mentorship relationship with an expert in facilitation can be a beneficial experience that can help you grow as a facilitator. With these tips in mind, you can develop a trusting, respectful and mutually beneficial mentorship relationship.