Thank you for showing an interest in the mentoring network being run by the Branch. The network is now well established and provides a source of professional support for individuals, whatever their job or stage in their career. At the moment the network is being used successfully for:
• Planning for promotion
• Dealing with difficult management issues
• Preparing and looking for a new role
• Tackling new and challenging assignments
• Continuing professional development
This list is not meant to include every possible topic which might be discussed during mentoring, as there are many others which may be relevant and it is entirely up to the mentee and mentor to cover what they find most helpful. The network is a valuable service to many of our members, and we are very pleased that we already have individuals who are prepared to give freely of their time and energy. We would also like to think that any mentee can also become a mentor at some stage in the future when it feels appropriate to them. The network is there for everyone’s continuing professional development.
2. How are mentors selected?
All the individuals who have been selected to be mentors will have had considerable experience in their role and be well established within the HR (or training) profession. They are individuals who are willing to share their expertise and knowledge on a voluntary basis and the branch welcomes their input. The mentoring relationship will at all stages be confidential and informal, and it is very important that it is not viewed in any way as professional advice or consultancy, its primary purpose will be for support and encouragement. We feel this should be pointed out early on, as any actions taken that arise from discussions between the mentor and mentee, are the sole responsibility of the individuals involved, and not those of the branch.
3. What form will the mentoring take?
This is for the mentor and mentee to agree between them. It may consist of one or more informal meetings, a visit to the mentor’s organisation/company (if both parties are in agreement), email contact, telephone sessions and the sharing of papers/policies if this is seen as being helpful. Due to the geographical distances within Devon and Cornwall, perhaps an initial face to face meeting may most sensibly be followed up by telephone sessions on a regular basis. These could take
place weekly, fortnightly or even monthly and we would suggest a duration of no longer than 45 minutes to an hour maximum. All mentoring will be voluntary and unpaid.
Each party will be free to end the arrangement at any time, although in the initial stages we would recommend a commitment of about of at least 4 - 6 weeks, to enable the mentor and mentee to get to know one another.
4. Matching of mentor to mentee
The Network Co-ordinator who is also the CPD Advisor, will endeavour to match mentors to mentees. This will of course not be an exact science by any means, and the success of the relationship really lies with the individuals themselves. If at any stage either individual feels that it is no longer serving their best interests or they cannot help in the way they originally intended, then it is best to be very honest about this and move on. Issues of trust, compatibility and relevant experience are of course really important and it will not be possible to predict all these in advance! The best option is to ‘have a go’ and keep an open mind.
5. Outcomes
Mentoring can of course be a friendly discussion and no more, it can also be very similar to coaching. Agree early on if you wish the arrangement to be focussed on outcomes. If you do, then begin to formulate a simple action plan which can just involve making goals at the end of each session. This then gives both parties something to focus on at the beginning of the next session. Always bear in mind though that work and life are full of distractions and with the best will in the world things often don’t happen as we plan them! The key is remaining flexible.
6. Other issues
The network is managed by the Network Co-ordinator and is overseen by the Branch Committee who takes a regular interest. The Network Co-ordinator will:
• Recruit and match mentors to mentees
• Monitor the scheme’s operation
• Report to the Committee regularly on the scheme’s progress
For mentors and mentees:
• All mentor/mentee discussions will be confidential to the parties involved
• Meetings should always be held in public or business premises and not in individual’s homes
• If any participant feels they any not happy with any aspect of the scheme, they should contact the co-ordinator in the first instance and if not satisfied with the outcome, they can of course contact the Branch Committee
Good luck and we hope you enjoy mentoring and being mentored.