Hi there,
Welcome to another Productivity Wednesday edition.
In the course of our discussion on the subject of mentoring, we have discussed various topics under the subject and today is really not difference, but we will take the conversation a lot more personal as we will discuss the types of mentoring. It is easy for us to classify mentors as people who are all round successful and advanced and seemingly an island of knowledge. But you would agree with me that no one is an island of knowledge or has it all figured out and number of years doesn’t totally or solely determine who the mentor and the mentee will be. Well, if it was that way, then our parents won’t ask us to set us Facebook accounts for them 😁.
Mentoring in the workplace can be done in following ways:
- Traditional or One-to-One Mentoring: As the name implies, it is a hierarchical mentoring style which would normally involve a person with more experience mentoring one with less experience. In this case, the mentor is taken more as an expert who has the answers due to experience or knowledge.
- Peer Mentoring: Individuals with a similar status or position in a company can mentor each other. Here, the focus falls more on mentoring skills, relationships and organizational development than in the traditional mentoring style. This type of mentoring still requires one mentor and one mentee, even though they may be peers. Mentoring sessions can be conducted in pairs or small groups.
- Inter-agency Mentoring: This is when companies establish mentoring programmes with like-minded companies or partners. Mentors or mentees can be selected from the different agencies. The strength of this model is that mentees are exposed to mentors they do not know and may have different career paths and broader networks.
- Reverse Mentoring: In this style of mentoring, cross-generational collaboration is supported through the mentoring process, in which junior employees assume the responsibility of mentoring senior mentees. For example: junior employees may provide mentoring support to the older generation or senior staff on technology-related topics.
- Reciprocal Mentoring: As the name implies, reciprocal mentoring involves guidance and transfer of knowledge bilaterally within organizations. This productive way of mentoring allows participants to play the role of both mentor and mentee at the same time. The strength of this approach is that both parties have the opportunity to experience the benefits of the mentoring process.
I hope you come across a method that suites you and your organization and go along with it. Always remember that 21Search provides all services pertaining to employee development and management to ease your efficiency and make your workplace better. Send us an email today on e.mbahon@21search.ng or call 08107017274.
Until I come your way again, stay safe, work smart and not just hard.
Love,
Lizzy.