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· Build Together. If you just lecture down, you won't create a trusting relationship. Instead, create an environment for two-way learning. Discover what you can adopt from the mentoree. Working together helps your career and demonstrates your sincerity. For example, last week I produced a writing seminar that included a section on e-mail etiquette. While thinking I was well prepared, one of my students raised some fascinating points that I will work into my program in the future.
· Teach By Modeling. It's one thing to tell others what to do. It's another to actually show ownership of your beliefs. Demonstrate how your approach achieves goals by modeling the behaviors, concepts and strategies you preach. Share success -- and failures -- from your experiences to help others relate to your learnings.
· Acknowledge The Relationship. You're best work will create a partnership between teacher and student. That means you need a safe, trusted environment in which to brainstorm, banter and build success. To be effective you need to communicate clearly, guarantee confidentiality and share challenges. Work together and you'll both prosper in your individual roles.
· Encourage, Don't Do. Play the role of advisor but don't get sucked into actually doing work for the mentoree. It's easy to end up doing tasks at which you already excel. Rather, you want to find ways to work as a cheerleader. Enable people to take on new approaches and encourage them. You'll give them confidence that helps them succeed.
Source: Roger A. Shapiro has been mentoring colleagues, students and clients for years as he built his communications consulting business. He is president/creative director at Mitchell Rose, LLC and the author of Write Right, 26 Tips to Improve Your Writing. Dramatically. |