Got a Situation? Get a situational mentor! Presented by Kathy Wentworth Drahosz

What is Situational Mentoring Situational mentors are the right help at the right time and are usually available to help solve a quick problem, uncover a hidden talent or learn a new skill or behavior. Got a situation? Get a situational mentor! --Sue Porter Beffel

Got a Situation?

Formal vs. Situational Formal Mentoring 2-4 hours per month Formal structure and support system Mentoring training Action plans and agreements Mid and end of program evaluation Situational Mentoring Short-term, situational Right help at the right time Available for developmental activities (networking, shadowing or executive interviews, etc.)

Trust that Feeling “When something draws you to a person, trust that feeling. You may be creating a turning point in that person’s life.” Don Shula and Ken Blanchard (1995) Everyone’s a Coach

Look for ways to create situational mentoring opportunities: GovLoop – 3 month relationships Flash Mentoring Speed Mentoring Activities (during Mentoring Month) Mentoring Training Workshops (open to all)

Look for ways to involve situational mentors in formal mentoring: Quarterly forums, brown bag sessions Speed mentoring event Create a shadowing component Informational interview

Active Mentoring Programs 26–33% of our formal mentoring program participants (mentees) have enhanced their formal mentoring partnerships with situational mentors.

A situational mentor made a difference! “Meeting with situational mentors was very enlightening, and ultimately helped me choose a career path to pursue.” “Setting up 'get to know you' meetings between my mentee and higher levels of management.” “I met with an astronaut and we talked about careers, goals, and aspirations! “This was very beneficial. I was able to meet with someone within my field who gave me perspective on the overall vision. S/he was very nice and offered continued mentoring opportunities.” “I consider myself to have met with a situational mentor with every interview I conducted.”

Got a situation? Employee-level mentoring: Time management Technical competencies Relationship management Public speaking Multi-tasking Boundary-spanning Negotiation and conflict management

Got a situation? Manager/supervisory mentoring: Project management Relationship management Negotiation and conflict management Managing in a turbulent environment Motivating employees and teams Performance improvement strategies

Preparedness Meets Opportunity How did you get into your current position? Would you make the same career choice again? Why or why not? Describe your current position. What other fields have you worked in over the years? What are the major challenges that you encounter in your current position? What advice would you have for someone considering your field or a similar position? What professional experiences or training opportunities have you had that were helpful? What do you like best about your present position? Dislike?

How to Identify a Situational Mentor Knowledge Expertise Likability factor Value System

Request a Meeting Once you have clarified your situational mentoring goals… Set up the first meeting Provide an agenda Do some research Follow up

Speed Mentoring Speed mentoring is a fun and interactive activity that enables employees an opportunity to make a quick connection that may lead to a short or long term mentoring relationship. In small group discussions (or pairs) encourage participants to introduce themselves and answer a set of consistent questions. Note: Be sure to highlight that this is a timed event and rotate mentors to the next table after 8-10 minutes.

The next time a situational mentoring opportunity presents itself… seize the mentoring moment! You make a difference!