Sherlock Holmes is one of the best known fictional characters in the world. A few weeks ago, on January 6th, the world’s first consulting detective turned 159 years old. I have been thinking a lot about mentorship, and what would constitute the ultimate mentor. But realistically, does the ultimate mentor exist? We know that the best mentors possess key characteristics, however, we have to be mindful of the kind of expectations we place on others. No one is perfect, and in the news, we constantly learn about people falling from grace. Knowing that perfectionism doesn’t exist, the ultimate mentor should have some key traits that can … [Read more...]
Beyond Traditional Mentoring – The Next Steps
November 19, 2012 by
Beyond Traditional Mentoring – The Next Steps was inspired while I was reading the article, “Beyond Mentoring: The Need for Champions” by Ida Abbott, which is in the November 2012 issue of the Mentor News newsletter. Abbott’s article is written for those in the legal profession, but it is relevant for any professional. What struck me is that the writer is saying some of the things that I have been saying on this blog. In Beyond Mentoring: The Need for Champions which I recommend that you read, Abbott emphasizes the need for having people who champion you in the workplace. Although having mentors, sponsors and champions are … [Read more...]
3 Mentoring Tips – What Mentoring Isn’t
September 24, 2012 by
In mentoring relationships, mentors guide and advise their protégés. The most successful mentorship partnerships are high trust relationships, where those involved, value and respect each other. Mentors advise their protégés but they cannot force them to accept the advice. Ever heard of the saying, you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink it? It’s something like that. Protégés have the right to decide if the advice they receive is in their best interest. Mentors and protégés must listen actively to each other, which helps them to understand who they are and their limitations. A mentor should never try to … [Read more...]
Mentoring Trends, Types of Mentoring & Strategic Use of Mentoring
September 17, 2012 by
In the webinar, “Why Mentoring Programs Can Fail – The Common Pitfalls to Avoid,” led by Judy Corner Director, Consulting Services, Insala, she covered trends in mentoring, the reasons for mentoring, how mentoring is used and the types of mentoring. Please see Part One of this post 7 Common Pitfalls to Avoid With Your Mentoring Programs. Trends in Mentoring Mentoring is now a part of the business and organizational strategy. Organizations are moving from informal to more formal mentoring programs and tying it to their organizational objectives. Mentoring is becoming more strategic. Mentees are matched with mentors based … [Read more...]
5 Must-Read Mentorship Articles You Might Have Missed
September 10, 2012 by
Below are five mentoring articles that I thought you’d be interested in. Want a better job? Find a mentor: This short Reuters article by Chelsea Emery demonstrates why you need a mentor. I found this quite interesting, “One-on-one mentoring was named the second-most-effective career development program for employees below director level, after "traditional training," according to a 2012 survey of 320 human resources professionals by talent development consulting firm Insala....Only one in five companies offer formal mentoring programs, according to a 2012 Society for Human Resources Management poll of about 550 human resources … [Read more...]
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