Different Types of Mentoring

Quick reference

• 00:04 Welcome back.
• 00:05 Let's dive right into the different types of mentoring that exist.
• 00:10 We'll start with traditional mentoring.
• 00:13 Traditional mentoring typically involves an experienced professional,
• 00:18 guiding and advising a less experienced individual.
• 00:21 This type of relationship is often one on one with a focus on professional
• 00:26 development and career advancement.
• 00:30 In most cases, this is the type of mentoring you'll experience as you move
• 00:34 from job to job, and through mentoring you can learn valuable skills
• 00:38 as well as learn about the new company you're joining and its culture.
• 00:44 Many times your first mentor may be your boss or
• 00:47 it could be a senior person in your group.
• 00:50 Depending on your job and the group you join,
• 00:53 mentors may explain how projects are managed, how communication happens,
• 00:59 even office etiquette and where the lunchroom is located.
• 01:04 This is why many companies include mentors as part of an onboarding process.
• 01:10 Next we've got reverse mentoring.
• 01:12 In reverse mentoring, the dynamic is flipped,
• 01:15 with the less experienced individual mentoring the more experienced one.
• 01:21 This approach allows for cross-generational learning,
• 01:24 in the exchange of different perspectives and skills.
• 01:28 For example, a younger employee with strong technological skills can mentor
• 01:33 a senior executive and help them figure out how to use new digital platforms.
• 01:39 Reverse mentoring is a great way to bridge the knowledge gap between generations and
• 01:45 foster a culture of learning and innovation.
• 01:49 Moving on now to group mentoring.
• 01:51 Group mentoring involves a mentor working with a small group of mentees who
• 01:56 have similar interests or goals.
• 01:59 This structure allows for shared learning, the opportunity to network and
• 02:04 the chance to gain insights from multiple perspectives.
• 02:08 Group mentoring is often used in organizations to develop specific
• 02:12 skills or address common challenges.
• 02:15 For example, a group of marketing professionals may participate in a group
• 02:20 mentoring program to enhance their marketing strategies and
• 02:24 share best practices.
• 02:25 Peer mentoring involves individuals at a similar level mentoring each other.
• 02:31 This type of mentoring allows for a more informal and collaborative approach.
• 02:37 Peers can provide support, guidance, and accountability to one another.
• 02:42 Peer mentoring can be valuable for skill development, knowledge sharing,
• 02:46 and building a sense of community within an organization.
• 02:50 Years ago I worked as a web designer alongside a web developer, and
• 02:55 as we collaborated on projects together, we would often teach each
• 02:59 other complementary skills that improved each other's performance.
• 03:05 So it was a great way to exchange expertise and
• 03:08 insight in a way that allowed both of us to grow professionally.
• 03:13 Another type of mentoring that's become increasingly relevant,
• 03:17 especially in remote work settings, is e-mentoring or remote mentoring.
• 03:22 E-mentoring allows mentors and mentees to connect and
• 03:26 communicate virtually through video calls, emails and online platforms.
• 03:31 E-mentoring can provide flexibility, convenience, and
• 03:35 access to a broader pool of mentors.
• 03:38 For example, a mentee in the United States can be paired with a mentor in the UK,
• 03:44 allowing for diverse perspectives and global networking opportunities.
• 03:50 Sure, there may be lag between communications because of time zone
• 03:54 differences, but when you want to ensure someone learns from a specific person
• 03:59 with the right skills and experience, e-mentoring is a great option.
• 04:04 When considering the different types of mentoring,
• 04:07 it's important to choose the one that aligns with your goals and circumstances.
• 04:12 Traditional mentoring may be suitable for individuals seeking specific guidance and
• 04:17 expertise.
• 04:18 Reverse mentoring can be great for organizations looking to bridge
• 04:22 generational gaps and foster cross-learning.
• 04:25 Group mentoring can provide a supportive and collaborative environment for
• 04:30 small teams with common interests.
• 04:32 Peer mentoring allows for informal and empowering relationships among colleagues,
• 04:37 especially if they're going to be working on projects together.
• 04:41 And e-mentoring opens up new possibilities for remote work settings and
• 04:46 global connections.
• 04:49 So, consider which members of your team could benefit from learning new skills or
• 04:54 could use guidance.
• 04:55 Are there other members on your team that could provide what they need?
• 05:01 In the next lesson we'll focus on finding the right mentor or
• 05:05 mentee and how to establish career expectations, see you then.

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