Mentor People (Part 2)

Welcome to the new installment of?The Leader’s Toolbox,?my LinkedIin Newsletter.?In each monthly edition, I'll share thoughts, actionable tips, and advice to help you thrive anywhere.?

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In the previous newsletter , we explored the importance, conditions, and pitfalls of mentoring. This time, I’d like to focus more on some examples of mentoring and give you some questions to reflect on.

Reverse Mentoring

In this Harvard Business Review article, Dr. Cindy Young shared her experiences on reverse mentoring .

“Reverse mentoring describes a situation in which a younger or early career professional mentors a senior colleague.?While the overarching goal mirrors that of a traditional mentorship – advancing the professional growth of the mentee – because the roles are reversed, this model shows everyone that experiential learning is just as valuable regardless of your age or expertise.” Dr. Cindy Young

I discovered it by chance when I wanted to revamp my CV a few years ago. I happened to mention it in passing to a younger colleague who worked in marketing and he proposed to help me. I felt a bit ashamed about needing help with something basic like this but I overcame this shame and accepted his offer. He reviewed my CV and explained to me how to build a more attractive one. And the result was stunning.

Have you tried out reverse mentoring? Why?

Lateral Mentoring

“There is a different type of mentoring, often overlooked, that is equally powerful: lateral mentoring. This form of mentorship is generally not intentional. It isn't collaborating, deliberately working with someone to create or produce something. It isn't a pairing of individuals. It is, instead, organic. You are likely doing it and don't even know it,” explains Dr. Heiser in this article .

This is the kind of mentoring you’re doing when you help a newbie in your team or carve out time to help a coworker to solve an issue. By sharing your knowledge, you also help someone to develop a feeling of belonging and to feel supported.

When was the last time you were a lateral mentor?

The Mentor Method by Janice Omadeke

In a recent episode of Dare to Lead Podcast (7 November 2022), Brené Brown talks with Janice Omadeke, who created the Mentor Method , which is mentorship software that companies can use. Employees take a quiz and the software proposes the best matches.

The interview is worth listening to!

It made me think of mentoring programs I’ve seen in the corporate sector and also as a volunteer in non-profits. Sometimes the relationship with the mentor worked and sometimes it didn’t click: I didn’t develop enough trust to open up and therefore I didn’t make the most of it. Mentoring is sometimes viewed as a ‘magic wand’, but in fact, instead of waiting for official and organized programs, we can still think of simple ways to support each other.

Have you taken part in a mentoring program? And how was it?

What are your experiences of mentoring? I look forward to reading them.

You can?download your call to action memo. You'll learn, you'll move forward, you'll thrive.

See you next month!

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May you and your family stay healthy and happy -

Yasmina

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