As I prepare my training schedule for 2020, an essential action in that process is reflecting on what I want participants to achieve as a result of the learning, i.e., what will they do/be able to do differently?
This is a challenge I pose to all of my participants at the end of a workshop or training programme. It sets up the expectation that the event isn’t a one-off experience but rather the start – or an injection – of intentional action and reflection in their practice.
Over the years I have received an abundance of answers from participants as they ask themselves the question “What will I do differently tomorrow?” Here are some great examples:
- Incorporate mentee evaluations in the partnership meetings
- Regularly engage in self-review to determine my influence and effectiveness on my mentee
- Manage the mentoring meetings much better by sticking to the purpose and keeping to the point
- Structure our meetings more – time to talk about what’s on top, time to focus on the mentee’s development, time to plan for the next meeting
- Use a strengths-based approach when giving feedback
- Take time to really listen without talking and avoid distractions
- Highlight the benefits of the mentee accessing and engaging in mentoring with me
- Implementing the tools I learnt in my everyday communication – feedback model, empathic listening, asking good questions
- Reinforcing my Why (why I am a mentor) all the time – big takeaway for me today
- I will focus on the balance between advising and mentoring, using mentoring principles within the onboarding programme
When I take the opportunity to engage in professional development for me, I want to be able to apply the learning in some way, shape or form, whether that is changing a habit, being more reflective, introducing a new approach or technique to my practice. Learning as a strategy to develop, improve, move forward, or change a current reality should be the central principle guiding the design and provision of training. It’s a principle I adhere to.
If you would like to know more about the training programmes I offer, get in touch and we can talk. In the meantime, maybe you would like to subscribe to my newsletter, or join my FB mentoring community. I continually strive to provide insights, ideas, strategies and tools through these avenues that will help you develop and enjoy your mentoring endeavours – and be part of a community of like-minded people
