Frequently Asked Questions And Answers About Mentoring

What if we just don’t get on at the first meeting?

Ensure you tackle this at the next meeting – what could you be doing differently as a mentor that would help your relationship? What are the areas that you seem to be clashing on and why? What can you both changes, to try and accommodate each other? What if we have tried to tackle our differences but we still can’t seem to get on?

Talk to the Programme/Scheme Co-ordinator and explain the issues. It may be that you will be able to swap and/or suggest a better match for your mentee.

What if we are doing a lot of talking but not many actions are getting done?

You need to take a more confrontative approach and discuss what you see, share your concerns and encourage the mentee to share their views. Remember mentoring is not just about meeting when you say you will and ticking the boxes.

We never seem to be able to meet within work time

Is there a possibility that you could meet outside of work? Go to the pub for a chat? Meet in the canteen for a coffee and a chat? If it must be in work time, perhaps the mentee can talk to their manager about being given definite/unmovable time to meet with the mentor.

Their Line Manager doesn’t seem to be very supportive

Encourage the mentee to explore this with their line manager (this is not your job as a mentor to tackle) and/or ask the mentee to speak to the Scheme Co-ordinator about encouraging the manager to be more committed to the programme.

Some things are being discussed, that are out of my comfort zone.

Refer to your initial mentoring contract where you agreed what you would and wouldn’t talk about – re-explain your role and what other help is out there i.e. counselling etc if needed.

The mentee is looking for answers and I don’t have them

It is not your job to give them the answers. Your role is to ask them questions so that they can come up with their own options/choices and solutions.

This is having a significant impact on my time, is there any financial compensation for me doing this?

No. The idea is that you are doing this to support members of your organization to develop them and to achieve their potential. You will benefit personally, Mentors should be willing to give up their time voluntarily in order to support the young talent in their business. Any other questions, please speak to your Scheme Co-ordinator