Encouraging Independence and Growth

Quick reference

• 00:04 Welcome back.
• 00:05 Our next topic is a crucial aspect of mentoring relationships,
• 00:09 encouraging independence and growth.
• 00:13 The relationship between mentors and mentees provides plenty of opportunities
• 00:18 for them to learn from each other, but what it should not become Is an excuse for
• 00:24 a mentor to force the actions their mentee takes.
• 00:27 Independence is so important for a mentee in this kind of relationship.
• 00:32 Independence encourages critical thinking, problem solving, and
• 00:37 the development of self-confidence.
• 00:40 Your role as a mentor is to act like a guide, not a dictator.
• 00:45 So let's discuss how to foster this independence and
• 00:49 personal growth in your mentee.
• 00:52 First, don't micromanage.
• 00:54 It might feel natural to oversee every action, particularly if you've had
• 00:59 a traditional managerial role, but you must resist the urge.
• 01:03 Micromanaging will impede a mentees growth and
• 01:06 it hampers their ability to learn from their own experiences.
• 01:10 So show your mentee the path, but don't walk it for them.
• 01:16 Next, empower your mentee to make decisions.
• 01:20 Let them take ownership of their projects or tasks.
• 01:23 Ask open-ended questions that encourage them to think through issues and
• 01:28 find solutions.
• 01:30 For instance, if your mentee runs into a problem during a project,
• 01:33 resist the urge to provide immediate answers.
• 01:36 Instead, ask, what do you think could be an effective solution?
• 01:41 This encourages independent thought and boosts their problem solving skills.
• 01:47 Another important tactic is to encourage self-reflection.
• 01:51 Ask your mentee questions like, what went well and
• 01:54 what could you have done differently?
• 01:57 This can develop their ability to view their progress objectively and
• 02:01 identify areas for improvement independently.
• 02:04 A great way to encourage growth is to provide stretch opportunities or
• 02:08 tasks beyond their current skills and comfort zone.
• 02:12 Supporting your mentee in taking on new and
• 02:15 challenging tasks can bolster their confidence and accelerate growth.
• 02:19 It might also be a great way to identify more tasks that they're ready for, or
• 02:24 reveal key foundational skills they need to secure before they continue
• 02:28 their journey.
• 02:30 And let's not forget the power of recognition.
• 02:33 Celebrate your mentees' successes, no matter how small.
• 02:37 Recognition fosters motivation, boosting their eagerness to take on new challenges.
• 02:44 Ultimately, maintaining open communication is key to a successful mentoring
• 02:49 relationship.
• 02:50 Regularly check in with your mentee, provide consistent feedback and
• 02:54 address any challenges they face.
• 02:58 Now, if you're a mentee, look at this list.
• 03:01 If you feel like any of these pieces are not fitting in your current relationship,
• 03:07 it might be time to reach out to your mentor and ask for
• 03:11 a stretch opportunity or request that ability to make your own decisions.
• 03:16 To help yourself grow, you sometimes need to push that envelope and
• 03:22 tell other people what you need.
• 03:24 And with that in mind, in the next lesson, we'll dive into the skill of navigating
• 03:29 difficult conversations, a great skill for both mentors and mentees, see you then.

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