What is meant by mentoring

Mentoring is when one person helps another by sharing knowledge, experience, and guidance. It can be:

• Formal or informal: Formal mentoring may be part of a structured programme with clear goals. Informal mentoring happens naturally, such as when someone offers advice or support in a casual setting.
• Based on hierarchy or experience: Sometimes, a mentor is in a more senior position and supports someone less experienced. Other times, mentoring is simply about one person guiding another based on having done something before.

For example, a person who has organised an event before might mentor someone doing it for the first time, giving tips on planning and problem-solving.

Why and when mentoring can be helpful 

Mentoring can be very useful in helping people grow, learn new skills, and build confidence. However, it is not always the right approach.

Mentoring can be helpful:

• When someone is new to a task or situation and needs guidance.
• When someone wants to develop skills and learn from someone more experienced.
• When a person is struggling with a challenge and needs support or advice.
• When that person is open to mentoring support and the mentor is willing to offer it.

However, mentoring might not be helpful:

• If the person being mentored does not want or need guidance.
• If the mentor does not have the time, knowledge, or willingness to offer proper support.
• If the mentoring relationship becomes too controlling rather than supportive.

For example, mentoring could help someone learning a new skill by offering tips and encouragement. However, if the mentor tries to take over instead of guiding, it may become unhelpful.

How to mentor others effectively 

Being a good mentor means offering useful support without taking over or making assumptions. To be an effective mentor:

• Listen first: Understand what the person needs rather than assuming you know.
• Share experience, not just instructions: Give examples of what worked for you and why. Do not presume that things will be exactly the same for them. 
• Encourage, do not control: Let the person make their own decisions while offering guidance. Remember, they will have more insight about the context than you.
• Be patient and supportive: Growth takes time, and mistakes are part of learning.
• Offer feedback constructively: Give advice in a way that builds confidence rather than discourages or makes the individual feel attacked or defensive. 

Things to avoid to be an effective mentor:

• Avoid being too critical: Focus on helping rather than pointing out faults.
• Avoid taking over: Let the person learn by doing, rather than just watching you do it.
• Avoid imposing your own way: Different people may succeed with different approaches.
• Giving too much or too little help: Find the right balance between guiding and stepping back.

For example, if mentoring someone on public speaking, a good mentor might share tips on preparation and confidence while letting them develop their own style. A less effective mentor might insist they copy their exact method, limiting their ability to own their approach.

By providing the right level of support and encouragement, a mentor can help someone build skills, confidence, and independence in a meaningful way.