1. Mentorships For WAVC March 2016 Alison Austin

2. Objectives Define Mentor (and contrast to coach)
Identify 5 steps in finding a Mentor (and begin the process of evaluating your needs)
Encourage a conversation that continues beyond our meeting

3. Images of “Mentor”

4. What Is A Mentor?
A Mentor is not someone who walks ahead of you to show you how they did it. A Mentor is someone who walks alongside you to show you what you can do.

5. Defining Mentoring
Mentoring is a two-directional relationship built on the application of knowledge, skills and attitudes in our personal and professional lives.
Coaching is one-directional instruction, focused on performance and the acquisition of career-specific skills.

6. 5 Steps For Finding A Mentor
Determine your strategic purpose in seeking a mentor (most important step!)
Consider people in and out of your network
Select the right person
Approach them with clarity of purpose
Share openly and honestly

7. Step 1 - Purpose
General guide?
Special situation?
Industry specific?

8. Step 2 - Network

9. Step 3 - The “Right” Person
Role Model…inspiring
Good listener…trustworthy
Will level with you…honest
Someone unlike you
in an important way

10. Step 4 - Approach
Be direct. “I’m looking to establish a mentoring relationship and I wonder if you’d have 30 minutes to sit down and talk about the possibility”
Explain why. “I’ve followed your achievements in X and hope to one day make my own
contribution so would appreciate
a mentor like you”
Set a time to meet. “Could we get
together on Tuesday at 10?”

11. Step 5 - Share

12. In Closing How has your definition of Mentor changed?
What step seems the most difficult? (purpose, network, select, approach, share)
Do what you love!
(you owe it to yourself)
Love what you do!
(you owe it to your agency) 12 12