Tallinn

Mentorschaft

MENTORING

MENTORING has became "the word". It means, that somebody is acting as a role model, teacher and also as friend to somebody else. It also means that "elder" professionals educate the next generation opening doors, providing contacts, ideas and directions and giving "younger" increasing self-confidence and self-esteem. A good mentor is supporting you through difficulty and difficult times. She helps you to find your personal motives, roles and goals.

Managers in many organisations realise that they must do more to develop and retain the talent available in an increasingly diverse workforce. Managers are more and more trained to become emotional supporters and coaches. Managers have in the future more in common with a "MOTHER" than the macho-manager of yesterday.

A good mentor helps her colleague in understanding the possible career obstacles and problems, personal motives, roles and goals. The mentor can also offer contsructive criticism. A good mentor is willing to engage in honest cooperation, she trains and supports, shares her experiences, knowledge and skills and listens. Chance to talk to someone who understands the problems in the particular field and can lend a sympathetic ear, if not always a practical word of adwice, is a fundamental power. In mentoring you always get chance and stimulus for development based on relevant feedback.

As Florence Awasom, Cameroon put it " To help others walk along a path that they (mentors) have already cleared. But, it is easier if You can begin your journey on a cleared  path!"

STARTING THE PROGRAMME OF MENTORING
what mentoring is - who the mentors will
be, and why they have been selected
what purpose mentoring will serve in the
organization/training course
what the potential benefits to all parties
involved are
how pairing of mentors and mentees
(actors) will occur
the responsibilities of both the mentor and
mentee should be clearly outlined
the length of the relationship, including
guidelines for termination
the potential problems involved

THE BENEFITS OF MENTORING

For the "Actor":
Opportunity to test a career, Develop good
communication skills
Get a better understanding of work
Builds confidence and self-esteem
Assume more responsibility
Improve Decision-Making skills
For the Mentor:
Personal satisfaction in coaching
Satisfaction of helping others
Sharing of knowledge and info
Developing networks
Sense of pride when actor does well
Recognizing contributions to
organizational goal

MENTOR-SPECIFIC SKILLS

active listening, empathy, counselling
negotiation, coaching, advocacy
problem solving, decision making
reflection and review, constructive
feedback
interpersonal skills, verbal and non-verbal
communication