Mentoring Has Changed

Traditionally, a senior person identified the heir apparent and groomed them for power, handing down their wisdom. Now, many older, experienced just people want to “give something back”.

Optimistic “Baby Boomers” used to see mentoring as a way of getting ahead, a way of developing themselves and the younger generation. Now, ongoing personal and professional growth is expected for all workers and mentoring or being mentored is an ideal way of ensuring it happens.

Flexible and independent Gen X regard mentoring as a way to collaborate, build the team, learn from others and show their own credentials. Self-directed learning is a feature of contemporary mentoring.

Nurtured for success, raised in a digital world of information and shocked by the GFC, Gen Y want mentors who respect their abilities while helping them progress their career - fast. Mentoring feeds a lean, keen learning machine!

Yes, for those of us who are older, mentoring may mean leaving a legacy but it’s not about choosing successors and shaping them in our own image. Today, mentors will share their knowledge with those who ask in the right way.

Mentoring is not necessarily one-to-one or a formal program. It’s conversations, networks and relationships. It lasts a minute or a lifetime or may be intermittent over time.

Mentors no longer take others by the hand. Mentoring is driven by a seeker, one who is on journey, who knows enough to know they don’t know it all and proactively searches for knowledge.

Mentors don’t have all the answers, they’re still learning themselves! They facilitate. They listen. They ask questions. They stimulate reflection. They make you stop and think. Mentors help you figure out what’s really important to you. They help you focus on outcomes. Help you choose what you want and go for it.

Mentoring skills and indeed, the mentoring mindset, don’t always come naturally. The ability to mentor can be developed and must be nurtured. When it is, mentoring works!

Join the discussion here or in the Mentoring Network Online.