Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC

Mentoring Invigorate the Old Or Initiate the New

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Webinar Objectives The Hidden Benefits of Mentoring Distinction between Mentoring and Coaching Key Must Haves for a Successful Mentoring Program How to Take Mentoring through Your Organization and Beyond

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Mentor “ An experienced and trusted adviser ” (Oxford English Dictionary ) “ A trusted counselor or guide, tutor, coach ” (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary )

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Coaching vs. Mentoring Mentoring Only most talented Centered on Org. Knowledge Access to Relationships and Responsibilities Focus on Improving individual’s Success w/in Organization Emphasize Company Values Usually formal & structured Mentor uses personal knowledge & experience Mentor value driven by position, usually higher seniority and/or higher level in organization. Coaching Open to all Centered on Self-Awareness Building Individual Skills Impacts Coachee and those around them Focus on removing barriers to success; false beliefs, bad habits, fears, skill gaps Creates Personal Clarity and Focus Designed around varying needs Coach does not need industry or organization knowledge.

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Mentoring Relationship Journey of Self Discovery and Development Access to Experiences Access to Relationships Personal Fulfillment Personal Achievement Preparation for the Future

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC External Mentoring Disadvantaged Youth – Provide a window into a new world Student in Your Profession High School Students – Setting Personal Goals and Seeking to Achieve Gender Role Models

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Great Reasons to become a Mentor Learn from your mentees Build your leadership and management skills You'll review and validate what you know and what you've accomplished Feel fulfilled, satisfied, proud, and energized Expand your circle of networking or connect at a deeper level with those you know already Leave a legacy, Make a Difference Pay it Forward

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Great Reasons to become a Mentee Gain self awareness Receive honest and informal feedback Enhance your professional development Learn more about your organization and how to maneuver it Gain skills and knoweldge Build your network of professional contacts Benefit from a different perspective on your current situation Exposed to new ideas, experiences, practices Learn from another’s path to success Get support and acknowledgment from your Mentor

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Important Program Players Mentee Mentor Mentee Manager

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Good Mentee Candidate Committed to Expanding Abilities Open to New Ways of Learning Personal Responsibility – Initiative Desire and Ownership of Personal Development Good Follow Through

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Good Mentor Candidate Open to Sharing and Teaching through non-traditional Methods – Sharing personal stories – Lessons Learned/Failures and Recovery – Help generate a Personal Vision – Provide On the Job Experiences through Shadowing – Share Personal Perspectives, Winning Attitudes – Share Success Strategies Provide Access to Broad Network Provide Access to New, Targeted Experiences Assign Business Related Projects/Tasks Aligned with Growth Help Design a Personalized Career Path

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Mentee Manager’s Role Be Accommodating – Provide Time for Meetings & Learning Initiatives – Modify Current Job Responsibilities if Necessary Be Encouraging Be Available for Updates and Sounding Board Being selected is a privilege. Actually having time to participate well is what makes the difference!

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Keys to a Successful Mentor Program Identify a Program Manager Program Objectives Orient and/or Train Participants Safe, Encouraging Environment Collect Information Ahead and Create Goals Have Meeting Agendas Measure and Evaluate Outcomes Modify Where Appropriate

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Mentor Program Manager Select Participants – Mentors & Mentees Link Mentors & Mentees Well Create and Organize Resources Check ins Accountability Provide Support & Answers Questions Aligns Program Focus with Organization Needs Track Program Progress and Report for tweaking or to Substantiate Continuation

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Mentoring Program Objectives Retention and Engagement – Reward high performers Succession Planning – Develop a pool of talent Develop Professional Relationships Generate a Culture of Continuous Learning Career Growth and Development – Individual Career Planning

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Orient and/or Train Participants Share Participation Requirements – How often they’ll meet – Any required assessments or forms – Any particular focus for the program – Who is responsible for what – Process to follow if there are issues – Guidelines for interactions Share Non-Standard Items for Discussion between Mentees and Mentors – Review Assessment – Set Goals – Create Timeline for Activities, Introductions, etc.

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Mentoring Program Guidelines Define How Often to Meet – At least once per month – Preferably twice per month – Get Times on Calendar Duration – Ideally 12 Months

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Safe, Encouraging Environment Relationship itself Will Take Time Find Common Ground Build Trust Focus on Success

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Effective Mentoring Conversation Completely Confidential Active Listening Open-Ended Questions Anticipate Different Views of the World No Lecturing or Have To’s: Instead: Share Relevant Experiences & Suggest Be Sensitive to Cultural of Gender Differences Be Present & Avoid Distractions Challenge, Push out of Comfort Zone all from a Postive Place Engage in Problem Solving Together Summarize the conversation, agree on the outcome, take notes on insights and next steps

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Example Data to Collect from Mentee What to improve/acquire/do? How will I do it? How will I know I did it? When will I be satisfied? How can my Mentor help me? When do I need to get there?

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Meeting Guidelines Make the Time a Priority Have an Agenda w/ Timelines Start and End on Time Celebrate Successes Talk Through Challenges or Trip-ups Create Action Steps for Each – Document – Follow Through

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Pre-Meeting Work Assessment – Desired role – Gaps in Skills and Experience What Are Your Goals?

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Great First Meeting Topics Sharing Expectations as Mentee Why did you become a Mentee? Past Experiences with a Mentor? What did you learn? What do you want to learn? What would be a good experience? What would make the experience bad? Sharing Experiences as a Mentor Why did you become a Mentor? Who was your Mentor? What did you learn from them? Why was het experience good for you? Was anything not good?

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC First Meeting Set Expectations – What do you each expect? – How will you communicate? – Where will you meet? – Schedule Meetings Create a Game Plan – Goals/Desires – Who to Meet? – Meetings/Projects Brainstorm – Get Some Scheduled Commit to Each Other Talk about What If’s – It’s not working – One is not Following Through – How Will You Communicate About it? Document EVERYTHING as You Agree

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Meeting Topics Career Goals – Discuss Options – Narrow – Create Aligned Experiences – Share Progress & Tweak Networking – Share how to Network & Converse – How to Introduce Self – Prep w/ Info About Specific Individuals They’ll Meet

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Session Thoughts Form Relevant Concepts, Ideas, Useful to Me Insights about my Personal & Professional Self Insights about my Role Successes What I could do Differently What I could Experiment with Other Thoughts and Feelings

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Measure and Evaluate Outcomes Anecdotal Evaluations – What worked well – Where did you struggle? – Lessons Learned Measurables – Aligned with Key Purpose – Skills Added – Introductions Made – Projects Completed Document Value to Organization

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Modify Where Appropriate Constantly Learn Constantly Improve Utilize the Data You Collect Align Program Goals as Organization Changes

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC The Big Question….. What will you do differently starting now?

Copyright Kirsten E. Ross, Focus Forward Coaching, LLC Thank You! How Can I Help? Kirsten E. Ross, MLIR, SPHR Free Leadership Tips: “Defeat the Drama” DefeatTheDrama.com Available on Amazon.com