What is Mentoring?

What is mentoring?

Mentoring, in the context of the HerBusiness Mentoring Program occurs one-on-one between a mentor (an experienced business owner) and a mentoree.

Mentoring is a relationship between two individuals based on a mutual desire for development towards career goals and objectives.

What mentoring is not

Mentoring relationships works best when based on mutual respect, trust and support from both sides, rather than the Mentor always giving support and the Mentoree always receiving it. By taking an active, participatory role in the relationship you will find you get more from each interaction and it’s likely your Mentoree will too – great for long term synergy. The Mentor’s role and responsibility does not include providing consulting advice; or involvement with the day-to-day running of the Mentoree’s business.

What is the difference between coaching and mentoring?

Mentors are very different to Coaches. The main difference is that mentors have ‘walked in your shoes’. All our mentors have started, managed and grown their own business and understand the small-business point of view.

Traditionally, coaches are good at holding you to your goals. They don’t necessarily come from their own experience though, as a mentor does.

Benefits of mentoring?

A mentoring relationship can provide a mentoree with:

• greater clarity on business goals and a way forward
• different perspectives and solutions
• the opportunity to develop new networks of contacts
• access to new resources and education.

Why mentoring works

Through the mentoring process mentors have the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills and expand their perspectives by seeing the business world through different eyes. being challenged on areas of expertise and increasing their awareness of issues in a diverse range of organisations.

Mentorees receive the benefits of:

• increased clarity on future direction of their business
• a sounding board for their ideas
• access to networks and resources
• a scheduled the to focus on business development and the ‘big picture’.

Mentoring relationships work best when based on mutual respect, trust and support from both sides, rather than the Mentor always giving support and the Mentoree always receiving it. By taking an active, participatory role in the relationship you will find you get more from each interaction and it’s likely your Mentoree will too – great for long term synergy.

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