Mentorship in action: practical advice for success

When career development goes into sleep mode, and goals become increasingly vague, this is a signal: it's time to turn to a mentor for help. It is the mentor who can help you reach the right conclusions, outline the path, and also... push you toward your goals.

We have discussed mentorship from different angles with Lina Kalysh , Unicorn Hunter, and Talent Strategy Consultant.?

Lina, a Hunter and CEO / Founder of Rist, became a Jedi in mentorship for seasoned professionals who are about to change their role within the company or.. to change the company??.

Here is a brief summary of our conversation with Lina.

What's the difference between mentorship and consulting?

Mentorship is a relationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable person guides a less experienced or knowledgeable person. The primary goal is to support the mentee's growth and development in a broader sense, often involving professional and personal guidance, sharing experiences, and fostering skills and confidence. Mentorship is typically long-term, relationship-focused, and based on mutual trust and respect.?

Conversely, consulting is a professional service where an expert provides specific advice or solutions to problems within a particular area of expertise. The relationship is usually more transactional and project-focused.

How would mentors and mentees collaborate effectively??

Effective mentoring requires mutual respect, clear communication, and shared goals between mentors and mentees.?

Here are some key strategies for ensuring a successful mentoring relationship:

• Set clear short-term and long-term objectives for the mentoring relationship.
• Clarify meeting frequency, preferred communication methods, confidentiality boundaries, and other logistical details.
• Both mentors and mentees should approach the relationship with honesty and openness. That's pretty tough sometimes, but it's crucial for growth. My approach is sharing personal experiences and challenges, which helps build a deeper connection.
• Consistently showing up and being fully present during meetings is a MUST—both for the mentor and the mentee. Mentors should listen attentively to the mentee’s concerns and aspirations, while mentees should actively listen to the mentor’s advice and insights.
• Mentors should offer positive reinforcement and constructive criticism to help mentees grow. The mentee comes to you for that reason, isn't it? (it goes both ways).

A mentoring relationship goes through these four phases:

Consider creating a mentorship plan to reach peak efficiency in your collaboration.?

Could you share insights from your approach with mentees??

Sure! My approach lies in two directions: preparation & homework. I prepare for each session (for an intro session, I have an online questionnaire for the mentee with some questions for reflection – this step helps me to identify the initial request more precisely), and usually, I give 'homework' at the end of each session as I believe in 20/80 approach – the mentor gives meaningful insights, provides honest & constructive feedback, shares valuable resources, such as articles, books, training opportunities, and professional networks, – in other words, creates the 'next level' environment for a mentee to absorb, analyze and make it happen (so the 80% of the 'job' makes mentee by themselves).

Do mentors have mentors for themselves?

They do! I have two mentors :) I believe in continuous self-growth as the challenges we face as professionals change with time. To share your expertise with others, you must stay an expert, learn new information, gain new skills and expertise, and be aware of innovative approaches. I think of it as a knowledge pyramid facing the sun ??.

How do you choose the mentor to help you grow??

There is no other way than to ask questions. Search for someone with your desired position or experience who works in your field. Schedule test meetings with different mentors and decide with whom to move on. Ask your network for recommendations. Here are some questions to ask your mentor to assess if they are the right fit:

You can find a mentor on these platforms:

• Mentor Cruise
• Mentorly
• Clarity.fm?

If you're still considering finding a mentor and using this powerful tool for personal and professional growth, this is the sign for you :)