A Mentoring Framework

As most people know I am a big fan of mentoring. Going into 2017 I have actually got two mentors for whom I have an immense amount of support to mentor me, as well as mentoring some myself.

I have written about mentoring a number of times before I am often asked what are the guidelines I use when mentoring people. Whilst the needs differ between those who I mentor here is a summary of the key 16 questions that I use. If you are already mentoring or considering mentoring feel free to use for your own practice or mentoring.

Here are the questions I want you to consider when thinking how I can help you

QUESTIONS

1. What are the 3 biggest changes you want to make in your life over the next 5 years?

2. What 3 goals do you want to achieve within the next 3 months?

3. If anything was possible what would you wish for?

4. What have been your 3 greatest successes to date?

5. What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome?

6. What is most important to you in your life and why?

7. Who are most important to you in your life – what do they provide you with?

8. Is your life one of your choosing? If not who is choosing it for you?

9. On a scale of 1 -10 how happy are you with your life right now? What are the things that make you happy?

10. On a scale of 1-10 how motivated are you in your work/personal life? What motivates you?

11. On a scale of 1 -10 how stressed do you feel right now – what are your key stressors?

12. List 5 things that you feel you are ‘putting up with’ right now?

13. What would you like your mentor to do if you struggle with your goals?

14. How will you know when you are receiving value from the mentoring process?

15. What approaches motivate /demotivate you?

16. What would you like from your mentoring during your sessions: score on a scale of 1 -10 where 1 is not at all important and 10 is extremely important:

• Gaining clarity of issues
• Understanding what is important /what motivates me
• Exploring and understanding what is holding me back
• Gaining an insight into who I am, my strengths, capabilities and potential
• Providing encouragement and support
• Helping define goals
• Helping to identify action and next steps
• Challenging you with difficult questions
• Providing honest and direct feedback
• Making you accountable for your goals

All the best as you mentor into 2017 and beyond.