Mentoring Etiquette

The "Golden Rules" may get overlooked in today's busy environment, yet investing in good manners pays off. Professional courtesy is a necessary ingredient in effective mentoring.

Although etiquette may seem old fashioned, there are compelling reasons to teach mentors and mentorees to observe three simple protocols.

Respect Time and Be Prepared

Mentoring is, first and foremost, a relationship. People voluntarily come together with a purpose, to share and grow. It is rewarding for both mentors and mentorees but as in any relationship, stress due to time pressures and the demands of life and work can have an impact. Organising and scheduling is not just polite, it's essential.

Accept Differences

It is likely, and desirable, that a mentor and mentoree have different backgrounds. Differences of personality or perspective bring richness to relationship and greater experience from which to draw insight. However, human nature can get in the way. Learning a non-judgemental approach will enable participants to value and benefit from differences.

Acknowledgement

Psychologists such as Martin Seligman have demonstrated scientifically the positive effects of gratitude, and giving thanks is a feature of most faiths. From a pragmatic point of view, in a mentoring relationship, people need feedback. They need to feel recognised and valued. Mentoring will flounder if these human needs are ignored.

When these simple protocols become habits the benefits extend beyond mentoring. They build personal competence and self-esteem and, like a pebble tossed in a pool, the ripples spread in ever widening circles.

Support your mentoring program with regular Mentoring Tips from the international mentoring specialist, Ann Rolfe.

One-page informative and easy-to-read tips cover topics such as Mentoring Etiquette (Mentoring Tip 14). Receiving Mentor Tips on a regular basis:

• Provides mentors with ongoing information, tools and motivation;
• Keeps participants engaged in the process; and
• Informs managers mentoring techniques and benefits