Be privy to the personal side
Every professional question for guidance and advice comes coupled with a silent personal question. Questions about career transitions come together with doubts on confidence and willpower. Questions about transitioning to senior leadership roles come together with doubts on the ability to lead or having a personality that is not fit to lead. Questions on managing teams come together with doubts on the ability to work effectively with other people.
A broad understanding of the mentee’s social, environmental, financial and individual circumstances always helps in providing sound and practical advice.
10. Tailor advice to circumstances
Every piece of advice, guidance and feedback is valuable if tailored to a specific circumstance. Effective mentoring involves providing situation-specific advice as the relationship evolves and the mentee’s professional and personal life stage changes. Advice does not need to be timeless but relevant and practical.
Becoming a great mentor is definitely a challenging endeavor. But the bigger the effort and application, the greater the rewards. The joys of witnessing someone succeed and progress in life and the realisation that they have helped in some way for the individual to progress on that path is unparalleled for any great mentor.