TSHIPIDI WORKPLACE MENTORING LAUNCH

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES OF MENTORS AND MENTEES

PRESENTER: DR. MAUDE DIKOBE

26 SEPTEMBER , 2013

THE AFRICAN WOMEN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

WHAT IS MENTORING?

Mentoring has a long and ancient history. It is based on the story of Greek Mythology told in Homer’s Odyssey. When Odysseus went to the Trojan War, he appointed his good friend Mentor, as a role model, guardian and adviser to his son Telemachus.

From these origins mentoring can be defined as providing guidance and support within a personal relationship that extends over a period of time.

Therefore mentoring is part of our lives (parents, teachers, friends etc.)

THE CONCEPT OF MENTORING

N.B. Mentoring is part and parcel of our lives We learn and take advice from parents, teachers, peers and older friends.

Mentoring has been used to describe a relationship in which an experienced person provides counsel and advise for a less experienced one.

Mentoring functions are carried out within the context of an on-going, caring relationship between the mentor and the protégé (Anderson and Shannon, 1988:40)

DIFFERENT TYPES OF MENTORING

Formal and Informal Mentoring Peer mentoring Intergenerational mentoring Community service and leadership Same Sex mentoring Opposite sex mentoring

N.B. Mentoring not only found in the academy

PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF MENTORING

Mentoring relationship most effective when mentor and mentee understand their responsibilities and are willing to assume them.

The relationship must be of mutual trust.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MENTORING AND COACHING

The ICPD differentiates between coaching and mentoring. It is helpful to understand the differences and similarities. See www.briefgroup.uk/coaching and mentoring .html

THE MENTOR/MENTEE RELATIONSHIP

The ideal mentoring relationship is the personal and professional.

But each must understand and respect the parameters under which they operate

Establish clarity about roles and responsibilities

Develop trust and friendship

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN MENTORING: MENTORS

Mentor’s role is that of a trusted and supportive guide

Willingness to make a commitment to share knowledge and expertise

Ability to commit to the mentoring task Understand mentee’s cultural and ethnic and

religious background Be positive, patient, dependable, honest and

sincere Be firm. Have your mentee assume

responsibilities and hold him or her accountable

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO….

ROLES MENTORS CONT.

Understand your mentee’s background, goals, and aspirations

Share stories and anecdotes Take mentee to professional meetings

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITY IN MENTORING: MENTEE Respect and trust for your mentor Let your mentor know as soon as possible the

kind of goals you want to achieve from the mentoring program

Take the initiative to ask for help or advice Don’t be defensive Assume the mentoring connection is strictly

professional Prepare yourself to move beyond the mentoring

connection once, it has served the purpose. Show your appreciation for the efforts made by

your mentor

ROLES IN MENTORING: MENTEE CONT.

Keep the door open to return to your mentor for assistance and advice in future

MENTOR/MENTEE RELATIONSHIP CONT.

Professional and less experienced mentee Refer them to your networks for single

issue mentoring Mentee’s Personal Development plan

(NICE) Needs Interests Concerns Expectations

Look for other mentors based on the re-evaluation of the mentee’s needs

WHY SPECIAL MENTORING PROGRAMS FOR THE YOUTH WHICH ARE STRUCTURED AND PROFESSIONAL ?

a) Substance Abuse (alcohol and Drugs)b) Peer Pressure c) Self-image and personal insecuritiesd) Class or ethnic identity e) School Performance f) Sexuality g) Depression h) Career Development i) Information to resources and access

to scholarship opportunities .

BENEFITS AND PITFALLS OF MENTOR MENTEE RELATIONSHIP

Cross gender mentoring Same sex mentor – after work social

activities Provide emotional and psychological

support Over –familiarity may affect

mentee/mentor relationship Problems with a mentor who does not

keep commitments Possibility of becoming possessive of

the mentee “ Take my Mentor Please”

BENEFITS AND PITFALLS CONT.

Mentee who is not honest and does not keep appointments “Take this mentee away please.

Joint Responsibility: Both mentor and mentee are responsible for keeping the information exchanged confidential.

WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT OR INTERESTING THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM THIS PRESENTATION?

What do you make of mentoring now? Are you a mentee or mentor? Who is your mentor? How did you come to regard that person as

your mentor? Does the person know that you are their

mentee? What do you intend to do with the

information you have gathered today? Questions and comments

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.-- Maya Angelou

DON’T GIVE UP

o Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush “Don’t Give UP”

TSHIPIDI CAN OPEN DOORS, BUT MENTEES HAVE TO WALK THROUGH THEM