There are several skills which underlie a great mentoring process and series of conversations. Research continues to show that strong relationships are key to mentoring success. Behind this is the ability to listen, build trust and ask great questions. Let's look at each one of these in turn.
Listening is key to successful mentoring, as it is to any leadership relationship today. In our business world of multitasking it is increasingly uncommon for many people to really stop and listen when others are talking. A mentor's ability to listen for what the protege really needs and then select their approaches, stories and examples form there is critical to a great mentoring conversation. In addition to listening for the words, mentors can be listening for the tone, pace, and also what's not being said by the protege.
The ability to build trust is also critical for success. Past blog posts have explored our activities which built trust such as follow-through, walking your talk and being present. You can view our Teams365 trust building cartoon from last year which illustrates many of these activities here.
Finally, great mentors ask great questions. As we have seen in the past, powerful questions are focused on expanding awareness, insights and clarity. Click here to access 20 powerful leadership questions. Short, to the point, and often starting with What, powerful questions shape the flow and direction of the conversation.
What do you see as critical skills for the mentoring partnership? What's helped to make your mentoring process a success?
Have a great rest of the week. Tomorrow I'm back with our Thursday Team Building Tip.
Best
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
Listening is key to successful mentoring, as it is to any leadership relationship today. In our business world of multitasking it is increasingly uncommon for many people to really stop and listen when others are talking. A mentor's ability to listen for what the protege really needs and then select their approaches, stories and examples form there is critical to a great mentoring conversation. In addition to listening for the words, mentors can be listening for the tone, pace, and also what's not being said by the protege.
The ability to build trust is also critical for success. Past blog posts have explored our activities which built trust such as follow-through, walking your talk and being present. You can view our Teams365 trust building cartoon from last year which illustrates many of these activities here.
Finally, great mentors ask great questions. As we have seen in the past, powerful questions are focused on expanding awareness, insights and clarity. Click here to access 20 powerful leadership questions. Short, to the point, and often starting with What, powerful questions shape the flow and direction of the conversation.
What do you see as critical skills for the mentoring partnership? What's helped to make your mentoring process a success?
Have a great rest of the week. Tomorrow I'm back with our Thursday Team Building Tip.
Best
Jennifer
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized - Leadership | Teamwork | Coaching Skills Training for Leaders
Supporting Team Leaders One Conversation at a Time(TM)
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013)
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