Leadership in Action: Help is on the Way: Senior Leaders Can Benefit from Working with a Mentor

BASIC COMMITMENTS

Mentoring is a reciprocal learning relationship in which the mentoring partners agree to work collaboratively toward achieving mutually defined goals that will develop the mentee's skills, abilities, knowledge, and thinking. It puts a premium on mutual trust and accountability. Whether one is new to mentoring or participating in it at a senior level, some basic commitments are needed to prepare for it. First, a sincere commitment to learning is essential; learning is the purpose, process, and product of mentoring. Second, a commitment to making time for mentoring is necessary to build and grow a mentoring relationship and learn what one needs to learn. Third, having a readiness to learn is important. Readiness takes many forms, ...