MENTORING
What is a Mentor and who should consider
having one?
The accepted definition of a Mentor
is:
"An individual who guides, counsels, and develops another person"
"A person who gives advice and help"
"An experienced and trusted adviser"
"People who, through their actions and work, help others to achieve
their potential"
Mentoring is a one-to-one, non-judgmental
relationship in which the mentor gives support, encouragement, assistance
or guidance , in order to help a person achieve change, improvement
and goals over a period of time.
This is very similar to Life Coaching,
of course. However there are some important differences.
The relationship between a Mentor and an individual is usually long
term, whereas Coaching may take place over a short period of time to
help someone overcome a particular issue. Having a mentor on a medium
or long term basis means that you always have your own confidant to
listen and to offer you objective and impartial input. That advice may
not be about major change, it may be about helping you to better understand
your life, to help you look at your options and make your choices on
various issues that present themselves over the course of time. Imagine
how wonderful and beneficial it would be to have a sounding board to
bounce all your ideas at and to receive back input you know is totally
impartial and supportive. Having your own mentor standing shoulder to
shoulder with you in your personal life, while running your business,
in your career or during your personal development.
Research indicates that mentoring is one of the crucial and important
factors of success in life and career.
As societies become more and more complex and impersonal and busy, the
need for person-to-person mentoring is becoming more and more important.
Mentoring for your personal
life
Finding you way through life is like finding you way through a very
busy city centre that you have never been to before and having no map.
Mentoring is that map, it helps guide you through the difficulties of
life itself, of relationships, of personal development and any issues
that concern you.
Mentoring for the young
"A Mentor is many things - a positive role model, an adviser,
an experienced friend. Somebody from outside a person's immediate circle
taking a special interest can make an enormous difference”. (Excellence
in Schools, 1997)
“An adult who can provide a youth with the benefit of their
life, school or workexperience
with a view to encouraging them to move confidently through a range
of new experiences”
How many times have you wished there was someone who could bridge the
gap between your children and you? Someone who can put forward adults’
views and the teenagers will listen. Someone who can listen objectively
to the opinions and feelings of youth and help them understand how life
works and what their parents really mean – a sort of interpreter
and mediator.
I have found great success with the young people who have come to see
me with a variety of problems. Seven-years-old and upwards. They find
that to them, having an understanding adult with whom they can discuss
their worries, fears and confusions is priceless. Someone who they know
is totally supporting them, will not judge them but will give them objective
advice from an adult’s prospective is invaluable. Most young people,
particularly teenagers, can’t speak to their parents in this way
and to have an adult who will listen to them and advise them is the
best of both worlds.
Imagine if you had had such a person when you were young and confused?
How much clearer would your life have been?
And how much less likely you would have been to make any wrong decisions
and choices.
