It’s the time of year when most people are thinking about goal achievement. And January is also National Mentoring Month. Why not take the time to create and cultivate a developmental network, or at the very least, find a co-mentor to hold you accountable, to increase the chances of you achieving the goals that are important to you?
If you choose to create and cultivate a developmental network, choose four or five people who you can call on regularly for mentorship support. These people are not your friends. Choose people who have an interest in your professional development, want you to succeed, and who can offer assistance that is appropriate for the level you are at in your career. They should push you beyond your comfort zone when it is necessary, and hold you accountable to the commitments and goals you establish for yourself.
It goes without saying that relationships are about give and take, so find out from the members of your developmental network how you can be of assistance to them. We all can use some assistance from time-to-time.
Co-mentoring relationships are reciprocal and mutual in nature because each co-mentor plays dual roles as both teacher and learner, and you have two people at the same level who support each other, and they are often in different fields so they are not competing with each other. They provide each other with support, both personally and professionally. Therefore it is imperative to choose your co-mentor wisely. To be successful at co-mentoring requires a commitment from each person, by documenting goals and accomplishments, scheduling regular meetings, structuring dialogue during meetings and creating a system of accountability.
Characteristics of Highly Successful Mentoring Relationships
- Established ground rules.
- Clear purpose and well-defined expectations.
- Non-competitive relationship among members.
- Safe and secure environment.
- Absolute confidentiality.
- Pool knowledge and resources.
- Encourage each other to achieve personal and professional goals.
- Co-mentors support and encourage each other to overcome obstacles.
- Personal chemistry is important.
- Respect for diverse backgrounds and needs of co-mentor.
- Values between co-mentors are aligned.
- Person whom you trust.
- Co-mentors have to be people with whom you can speak freely to.
- Improve upon each other’s unique skills.
- Recognize both academic and non-academic achievements/professional and non-professional achievements of each other.
- Commit to meet between one to two hours every two weeks.
- Evaluate regularly to determine if needs are being addressed.
What is Required from Co-Mentors
- Assess strengths and weaknesses.
- Formulate goals.
- Establish learning goals.
- Test drive the first few meetings to identify the fit between co-mentors
- Rotate roles and responsibilities between co-mentors.
Achieving worthy goals in life is something that many strive for, when we are held accountable, we increase the chances of achieving those goals. This National Mentoring Month, take the time to find a co-mentor to hold you accountable if you cannot create a developmental network.
Have you ever had co-mentors or other accountability partners? What about a developmental network? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.