How do you coach your mentee to success?

One of my favorite questions to ask at the beginning of a mentorship session is what does success look like for you? This helps me understand and inspect my mentees mental model on the challenge.

I agree. Clear expectations provide a roadmap for your mentee, setting a clear path towards success. When mentees understand what is expected of them, they are more likely to feel motivated and accountable for their progress. Knowing what they need to accomplish and the milestones they should reach helps them stay focused and committed to their own growth.

People seek mentorship and coaching for all kind of reasons. Someone might want to get a job. Someone might want to get promoted. Someone might want to leave their 9-5 and start their business. It’s really important to communicate what you deliver specifically. I dedicated an entire livestream explaining how I can help people and what to expect. You also should set expectations for your clients as well. Tell them what you expect from them. It’s two way partnership!

As a mentor, it's your duty not only to show your mentee what's possible, but also how life feels at that level. Doing this fuels the motivation of the mentee to put in the hard work to get there. As an example, for 2 identical mentees that want to get into FAANG companies, the mentee that knows the exact compensation, the benefits, the career perspectives will be much more motivated than the one who just sees getting into FAANG as a destination.

As a mentor, you need to strike a balance between telling your mentees what to do versus asking questions that will guide them towards the answer. It's so much better to understand why they need to do something, versus just understanding what they need to do.

I used to be an advice monster but have grown away from that. Now I like to tell stories as part of my guidance. I may say something like, "Once I was in a similar situation where I had to .......For me I found by doing.... it helped me to get to a result that was perfect for me at that time." Or I may say, "I once knew a gal who was deliberating on ....for her she ....which allowed her to....which led her to a decision that worked best for her at that time."

I agree, this is critical. Also, I encourage mentees to adopt a growth mindset. A growth mindset teaches mentees to view challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles to be avoided. It helps them develop resilience, perseverance, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones. With a growth mindset, mentees are more likely to tackle difficult tasks and see setbacks as learning experiences rather than failures.

In my experience, it is important to consider the mentee's background and cultural origin. Doing this creates an environment for effective mentoring. It promotes cultural sensitivity, builds trust, addresses unique challenges, leverages cultural strengths, promotes inclusion, tailors communication, and develops global competence. By embracing and valuing diversity, mentors create an inclusive and empowering environment that fosters the mentee's growth and success.