What do you do if your mentee's career goals seem unattainable?

Some of the ways to get started here are - 1. Assess the Goals that were set with the mentee. Use the SWOT or GROW models to understand the specifics. 2. Check if they are mentee's goals or someone else's goals with the probing techniques. 3. Break them into bite-size goals which are SMART in nature (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) 4. Communicate and Celebrate every tiny milestone that the Mentee achieves during this journey.

Agreed on Point no -3 and 4 .. For more focused and deliverable .. Give clarity to team to take extra mile for next target or EVA positive

Assist them in reframing their goals into smaller, more manageable steps. This can make their objectives feel more attainable and less overwhelming, fostering a sense of progress and achievement along the way. By adjusting their mindset and approach, they may find that their career aspirations become more feasible and within reach.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step," Lao Tzu once said, capturing the essence of creating realistic pathways toward goals. In mentoring, this means guiding mentees through the landscape of their ambitions, helping identify clear, achievable steps and role models in their industry. Have you outlined your path with SMART milestones? Encourage your mentees to break down their journey, celebrate each small victory, and keep the momentum. Let’s foster growth by recognizing every step forward. Ready to take that step and celebrate progress together?

If the direct path to their career goals seems unattainable, help your mentee explore alternative routes. This could involve considering related industries or roles that align with their skills and interests. Encourage them to be open-minded and flexible in their approach, as sometimes unexpected opportunities can lead to fulfilling careers. By exploring diverse pathways, your mentee may discover new avenues to pursue their aspirations, even if they deviate from their original plan.

Sometimes, achieving ambitious career goals requires a mindset shift. Help your mentee cultivate a growth mindset, emphasizing the importance of resilience, perseverance, and continuous learning. Encourage them to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. By adopting a positive and adaptive mindset, your mentee can overcome setbacks and stay motivated on their journey towards their desired career.

Failures are always a stepping stone for success. Failures can have two consequences - either destroy the confidence or instill an urge to prove oneself. The choice is ours. The day we enter the “can do” phase nothing is impossible. Our mind picks up the cues from our own beliefs and works accordingly. If I say, I can do it, the mind works rigorously taking that cue. It will struggle, go into deep learning phase and finally overcome the failure. But the day I say, I can’t, the mind will become lazy. So it is all in our own control and that is the biggest factor for success, apart from the external factors which is beyond anyone’s control. Thank you

Help your mentee explore their mindset and beliefs surrounding their career goals. Encourage them to adopt a growth mindset, focusing on continuous learning and development rather than fixed outcomes. By shifting their perspective to see challenges as opportunities for growth, they may become more resilient in pursuing their goals.

Building a strong support network is crucial when pursuing ambitious career goals. Encourage your mentee to seek guidance and mentorship from professionals who have achieved similar objectives. Networking within the industry can provide valuable insights, connections, and opportunities for advancement. Additionally, remind your mentee to leverage their existing support system, including friends, family, and colleagues, who can offer encouragement and assistance along the way. By surrounding themselves with positive influences, your mentee can overcome challenges and stay motivated on their path to success.

Don't hesitate to seek feedback from your colleagues, supervisors, or mentors on areas where you can improve your problem-solving skills. They can provide valuable insights and guidance to help you develop and refine your abilities. Additionally, don't underestimate the power of support from your peers. Engage in discussions, brainstorming sessions, or collaborative projects where you can learn from others and enhance your problem-solving capabilities through teamwork.

As I pondered this question, it struck me that a good starting point is to introspect and ensure we possess the most up-to-date and concrete information to assess whether our mentee's career aspirations are genuinely unattainable, or if our perspective might be biased due to our own experiences. If we indeed can serve as reliable guides for our mentee, our role is to consistently offer support and pose critical questions. These inquiries should empower them to refine their goals through self-reflection and careful refinement, ensuring that these aspirations are effectively translated into actionable steps and ultimately realized.

I'd first suggest assessing your own beliefs and asking, what's the basis for the goals possibly being unattainable? Is it truly an unrealistic expectation, i.e. moving from one level to three levels higher in 2 years, or does it appear unrealistic because you don't believe it's possible from your own experience? Could it be possible with the right mindset, vision, and intentional actions towards building the right skills, gaining the right experiences, and developing the right network? Do a quick belief check and then, mentor accordingly by asking coaching questions, such as, what mindset, skills, experiences, network, and resources might you need to achieve those goals and what time period seems realistic? And, go from there...