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When we talk about social mobility, we often focus on the nuts and bolts of education and qualifications for young people. But in my 20 years working in the sector I've seen how something far less tangible can really make a huge difference: mentoring. It's not about opening doors, though that can also make a huge difference. It's about helping people - particularly those from underresourced communities - see doors they never knew existed. Through our mentoring programme at Working Options in Education we’re starting to see these transformations. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from my own mentoring relationships by offering a safe space for my mentees to challenge themselves and explore options. What's often overlooked is how mentoring bridges the 'hidden curriculum' gap – the unwritten rules of professional life that many are able to take for granted. Whether it's mastering workplace communication, building professional networks, or simply having someone to challenge your self-limiting beliefs, mentoring can provide crucial social capital that no formal education can replicate. This isn't just feel-good rhetoric – it's about unlocking the potential that exists in every community. If you'd like to learn more about becoming a mentor, please, feel free to DM me. 

There is a lot to discuss when it comes to mentoring! I wanted to share some insights today, leaving room for future conversations on this topic. Meeting individuals from diverse backgrounds can be challenging, requiring sensitivity to foster good relationships. Initially, I focused on engaging with those similar to me, but I learned that accommodating different perspectives strengthens the mentor-mentee bond. Building trust takes patience from both mentor and mentee. It's essential to allow time for openness to develop, fostering a strong relationship. Working with school children presents unique challenges due to time constraints. Despite wanting to share more information and experiences, time limitations impact the depth of interaction and the overall impact I can make. In the future, let's explore how mentoring positively impacts lives and communities. Have you considered becoming a mentor? Reflect on the positive influence you could have on others and the world around you.

October’s Fostering Progress session will explore exactly how #mentoring beliefs shape program outcomes, with a focus on measuring these beliefs with the newly-validated Critical Mentoring Beliefs Survey. Attendees will provide actionable recommendations for critical mentoring practices to recognize and support the diversity of the #youth we serve. Join us virtually on October 16 at Noon ET to discover how you can enhance your #mentoringprogram through informed, evidence-based strategies. https://lnkd.in/giBTKxuy

Mentors’ Corner: How much should a mentor disclose? - https://lnkd.in/ebxYRZxY Editors Note:  In this  feature Gail Manza and Susan Patrick draw from their new book Mentor’s Field Guide, which is framed as a series of 67 answers to the most common questions that arise in youth mentoring. We hope that you will share these links with the mentors in your program.  Question 25. Will talking about my own life or beliefs help my mentee open up to me? If so, how much should I share?  The answer to this question depends on the stage of your mentoring relationship and whether your mentee has expressed an interest in knowing more about you. […] The Chronicle of Evidence-Based Mentoring

Empowering the Next Generation: The Impact of Youth Mentoring As someone deeply committed to the growth and development of our youth, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of mentoring. 🌟 Mentoring is more than just guidance; it’s about building a supportive relationship that fosters personal and professional growth. Here are some key benefits of mentoring young people: 1 - Enhanced Academic Performance: Mentored youth often show improved grades and a better attitude towards school. They are more likely to attend classes regularly and complete their assignments. 2 - Higher Educational Aspirations: With the encouragement of a mentor, young people are more likely to pursue higher education and set ambitious career goals. 3 - Improved Self-Esteem and Confidence: A mentor’s support helps youth build self-confidence and develop a positive self-image, which is crucial for their overall well-being. 4 - Better Interpersonal Skills: Mentoring helps young people develop stronger relationships with their peers, teachers, and family members. It also enhances their communication and social skills. 5 - Healthier Lifestyle Choices: Youth with mentors are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use. They are more inclined to make healthier lifestyle choices. 6 - Positive Attitudes and Behavior: Mentoring can lead to improved behavior both at home and in school, fostering a more positive outlook on life. Mentoring is a powerful tool that can bridge the gap between potential and achievement. By investing our time and resources in mentoring programs, we can help shape a brighter future for our youth and our communities. Let’s continue to support and uplift the next generation! 💪🌍 #YouthMentoring #Empowerment #FutureLeaders #CommunitySupport

What Predicts Volunteers’ Commitment to Mentoring Relationships? You guessed it… - https://lnkd.in/eHCTancd Madia, B.P., & Lutz, C.J. (2004). Perceived similarity, expectation-reality discrepancies, and mentors’ expressed intention to remain in Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 34 (3), 598-623. Mentor initiated premature terminations compromise mentoring programs’ goal of fostering quality relationships between youth and nonparental adults. Moreover, for youth from potentially vulnerable backgrounds, the premature loss of a relationship can have detrimental effects. Thus, it is important to understand factors that influence mentor’s intentions to remain within mentoring relationships. In this study, Madia and Lutz examine: The influence of mentor’s preconceived expectations and perceived similarity on their intentions to remain […] The Chronicle of Evidence-Based Mentoring

FORUM: How do you assess the level of “risk” in your mentees? - https://lnkd.in/ewDUx28R During last week’s webinar on the recent Role of Risk study, there was an excellent discussion about how to define “risk” in a young person’s life and how those factors might influence their mentoring relationship and even a program’s design and delivery. All young people face some level of risk or deal with a few personal challenges, but the youth who find their way to mentoring programs often have substantial risk factors in their life. The volume and severity of those risk factors can have enormous influence on their ability to work with a mentor or reap the benefits of […] The Chronicle of Evidence-Based Mentoring

Last week, I presented a paper at the American Evaluation Association conference in Portland, Oregon. The topic was 'Modern Mentoring', which is particularly relevant to today's economic climate. The presentation drew on my experiences of being mentored and mentoring individuals and teams. Mentoring guides and encourages individuals and teams through challenges, promoting self-discovery, expanding comfort zones, strengthening networks, and building resilience. It benefits mentees, mentors, organisations, and entire learning systems. Modern mentoring is more dynamic and flexible compared to old-style mentoring. It focuses on collaborative learning and growing mindsets. It brings diverse perspectives together, fostering development for everyone. Today's mentoring has greater openness. It also emphasises personal growth and mental wellness over career advancement. Mentoring has particular value in today's economic climate. It helps individuals gain strength and confidence, adjust, connect to others, feel supported, and find opportunities. Let's, therefore, cloak ourselves with diverse mentors and gift to others by becoming mentors.

Why Emotional Intelligence is a Game-Changer in Education and Beyond As an educator and Emotional Intelligence coach, I've come to understand that true success goes beyond academic achievements—it's deeply rooted in emotional well-being and social competence. One moment that resonates with me is mentoring a student who was struggling to balance academics with personal challenges. By applying emotional intelligence strategies and offering personalized coaching, she not only improved her academic performance but also developed confidence and resilience that will serve her throughout life. This experience reaffirmed my belief: emotional intelligence is essential for navigating the complexities of life. It's a transformative skill that empowers individuals, strengthens teams, and drives organizations forward. Every day, I remain committed to advancing this mission—whether mentoring (or coaching young adults), or leading impactful programmes like those at Doceo Development CIC. How do you see emotional intelligence making a difference in your field? 🙂

One of the biggest lessons from all these years of mentoring is that people become sponges for the opinions of mostly unqualified people. One of the first skills we aim to teach in mentoring is to stratify evidence we have allowed to reach our ears and our eyes: -expert vs novice -credible vs unlikely -helpful vs unhelpful -actionable vs impracticable Too many believe they have skills they don't have because their mothers, who have no experience or understanding of that sector, have given them false feedback. Always stems back to someone being an early walker or good eater. Those early successes are then generalised to totally unrelated grand outcomes in later life. You also have people who believe they can't make it in a certain field because they "don't have the right look" or "won't fit in" according to someone who has never been in the target environment and knows nothing of the target environment. References are made to enemies of progress who have told them "you are not the type of person who wins in life". No consideration is ever given for getting a second opinion. I always finish the lesson by letting people know if they want to know something then just come to me. I was a quick walker and have always been able to determine someone's lot in life within the first 15 minutes of meeting them. Ask me anything - I'm that guy that always seems to get it right.