With your mentee, you can use pre-planned engagement techniques called mentoring activities. The mentoring activity you select is typically made to address one of the many objectives of the mentoring program. For instance, if you and your mentee are just starting to get to know one another, you might use an icebreaker activity to encourage conversation and help you and your mentee learn more about one another than just the surface level. But no matter what you decide to do, it’s important to adhere to the general rule of any educational activity: plan with the end in mind.
Generating new mentoring activity ideas can be challenging. Here are ten mentor program activities you can try right now if you feel like you’ve tried them all or you’re looking for fresh inspiration.
…
Mentees to mentors
- Skill-related topics. …
- Career story topics. …
- Feedback topics. …
- Situational advice topics.
One-on-One (8 Great Ideas for the Mentoring Hour)
Why mentorship is important
Research has found that todayâs employees are looking for career paths that help them develop their skills and expand their networks. They also want to work for companies that genuinely care about employee satisfaction. Mentoring is an effective way to make coming to work a more rewarding experience. Nine out of 10 workers with mentors have higher levels of job satisfaction.
Additionally, in the previous few months, nearly 40% of workers without mentoring relationships considered leaving their jobs. The benefits of mentoring cant be ignored. Formal mentorship programs can be a tool that:
Ideas on how to structure a mentoring program
The format of the program determines what you discuss during a mentor-mentee meeting. There are several different types of mentorship programs. Â.
For example:
The goals behind mentoring programs can also vary. At Together, we see mentoring programs designed to:
All effective mentoring programs place a strong emphasis on forging deep mentoring connections that strengthen corporate culture. Successful matches are determined by the mentee and mentor’s compatibility, but the subjects they cover in each session are also crucial. Â.
Let’s examine the topics that successful mentoring relationships discuss during their meetings:
What are good mentoring topics?
One of the best ways to maximize your time with your mentor or mentee and make sure the benefits of mentorship have a positive impact is to be prepared. Meetings will go more smoothly if you know what you want to talk about and how to express yourself.
Before the meeting, think about making a list of some subjects you want to discuss with your mentor. You and your mentor will feel productive about your time together if you have a structured mentoring plan.
Kickoff your mentoring relationship with coffee (or tea)
Taking a mentee out for coffee is a great way to start a relationship. Setting a foundation for your relationship with your mentor should be the main goal of your first meeting. Your mentee will be able to unwind by getting to know you in a relaxed environment. It’s not unusual for mentees to feel stressed when they first start working with you, especially if you hold a more senior position within the company.
So why coffee or tea? Ample research shows that caffeine does more than just give us energy, it can actually help relieve stress. Combined with a less formal environment like a local coffeehouse or tea shop, and your mentee will feel far more comfortable with you and with your mentoring relationship from the start.
Even though we advise you to plan some goals during your initial mentoring session, it might be a good idea to first take some time to get to know one another. Continuing the casual theme, try concentrating on casual conversation subjects geared toward fostering trust.
FAQ
What are good topics to talk about with a mentor?
- Similarities and differences between your roles.
- Your strengths and weaknesses.
- Challenges that you face in your day-to-day.
- Goals you have for your career.
- What are the skills you want to develop and what is stopping you?
What are the 8 good qualities of a mentor?
- Good listener/sounding board.
- Flexible.
- Value diversity of perspectives.
- Knowledgeable.
- Nonjudgmental.
- Able to give constructive feedback.
- Honest and candid.
- Able to network and find resources.
What topics themes should be covered by a mentor within sessions?
One of the very first questions mentors should pose to their mentees is whether they have short-term or long-term goals. Mentors can ask mentees about their career ambitions. They can assist them in creating a personal development plan to help them advance from their current position to the one they want.
What are the 3 C’s of mentorship?
