The Mentoring
of Mentors Process in a Nutshell
© 2008 by Barry Sweeny
The following is a very basic outline of the steps
of the Mentoring the Mentors (MoM). Overall the task of the MoM
is to ensure that every mentor personally and individually experiences
"High Impact" mentoring. This is done so that every
mentor knows what excellent mentoring looks like and will apply
it in their own work as an employee and when mentoring their protege.
Of course, that personal experience and understanding greatly
increases the chances that each mentor will be able to USE the
same process with their own protege. Then, the mentor needs to
teach it to that protege and prompt the novice to plan and use
the same process in own their work and with others they support.
The MoM monitors and works with mentors to ensure
that this happens for every mentor. Then, the MoM process continues
by supporting the mentor's implementation of that learning in
practice to ensure that the desired "high impact" on
performance and final results actually happens. No assumptions
are made that, "I taught her the process, of course she will
use it." The MoM holds the mentor accountable for using the
model, and the mentor holds the protege accountable for using
the same model.
The Mentoring of Mentors Process in
a Nutshell
1. KNOW THE MODEL - Know the model
mentoring process.
2. USE AND MODEL THE MODEL - Use the model
with the mentors so the MoM is modeling the model for them
to see and experience individually.
3. TEACH THE MODEL - Teach the mentors the
model process so they consciously and explicitly understand
the process, not just experience it.
4. HELP MENTORS APPLY THE MODEL - Help and
support each individual mentor to hold them accountable for
implementation of the model process, and to ensure that they
have the support needed to master the use of the model in
their own work and mentoring practices.
Need help in building your capacity to
be a MoM? Want to be sure that excellent mentoring is used by
each mentor and taught to and used by each protege?
1. Contact Barry Sweeny
and let him be YOUR Mentor of Mentors
to ensure that YOU will succeed in this crucial role.
