TIPS ON BECOMING

A DETROIT MENTOR
Detail from Detroit Industry Murals, Diego
Rivera, 1932 – 1933, Detroit Institute of Arts.
Photo credit: Thomas Hawk on Visual hunt / CC
BY-NC
 WELCOME!
Mentoring is a time-honored tradition of support and exchange between a person of experience
DEFINITION (mentor) and a relative novice (protégé).
ON BECOMING History is filled with mentor/protégé relationships (both fact and fiction) that have resulted in
KEY SKILLS
significant achievements:
Socrates mentored Plato Ralph Waldo Emerson mentored Henry David Thoreau
FORMAL STAGES
Maya Angelou mentored Oprah Winfrey Prof. Dumbledore mentored Harry Potter
STAGE 1

STAGE 2 Objectives:
STAGE 3 Know the difference between “Formal” and “Informal” mentoring.
STAGE 4 Recognize the key skills necessary for successful mentoring.

COMMITMENT
Understand the four stages of a formal mentoring relationship.

SUMMARY
Let’s Get Started!
ASSESSMENT
The timeline on the left will keep track of your
APPENDIX progress. This presentation should take
approximately 10 minutes to complete but is
available for your ongoing review.
 WHAT IS MENTORING?
Definition:
DEFINITION
The process by which an individual shares experiences and advice to benefit another person,
ON BECOMING
of lesser experience, in developing the skills necessary to achieve anticipated goals.
KEY SKILLS

FORMAL STAGES
The two most common types of mentoring are “formal” and
STAGE 1
“informal.”
Formal Mentoring is Intentional.
STAGE 2 Formal mentoring follows an agreed upon format, often occurring as a series of
scheduled, one-on-one conversations, or other learning activities.
STAGE 3
The tips in this lesson are preparing you for a a formal mentoring relationship.
STAGE 4

COMMITMENT
Informal Mentoring is Spontaneous.
SUMMARY
Informal mentoring occurs casually in informal settings.
ASSESSMENT
Informal mentoring occurs anytime someone more experienced shares advice.
APPENDIX
 BECOMING A MENTOR
A mentor is willing to share experiences and encouragement with someone of less experience.
DEFINITION
Mentors can possess greater leadership, longer tenure, or deeper knowledge than their protégé.
ON BECOMING
Mentors can come from within the same organization or industry or outside the field entirely.
KEY SKILLS

FORMAL STAGES The key criteria of a mentor is a commitment to, and enthusiasm for, their protégé.
STAGE 1

STAGE 2 Questions to ask before entering a mentoring relationship:

STAGE 3 What experience do I bring to the table?
STAGE 4
There are no specific requirements regarding experience but think broadly about your
ability to enthusiastically support your protégé’s interests and expectations.
COMMITMENT

SUMMARY
What expectations do I have from my engagement?
Determining your own expectations will help guide your investment and participation.
ASSESSMENT
What obstacles, if any, might preclude a successful relationship?
APPENDIX
Clarifying potential obstacles in advance will assure the strongest possible relationship,
or eliminate an unfulfilling experience, for both you and your protégé.
 KEY MENTORING SKILLS
Research has revealed the following skills are critical to successful mentoring relationships:
DEFINITION

ON BECOMING Show interest, make eye contact, use body

KEY SKILLS
LISTEN ACTIVELY 1 language, limit interruptions, listen first/share
second.
Pay attention.
FORMAL STAGES

Keep conversations and communications

2
STAGE 1
BUILD TRUST confidential, honor commitments, show interest, be
STAGE 2
honest.
Stay focused.
STAGE 3

Assist with resources, share knowledge and

3
STAGE 4
SET GOALS & experiences, offer perspective and examples.
COMMITMENT BUILD CAPACITY Ask thought-provoking questions.
SUMMARY Be an asset.

ASSESSMENT Providing encouragement is the most valued skill,

APPENDIX
ENCOURAGE
& INSPIRE 4 according to experienced protégés.
Be a cheerleader.
 FORMAL STAGES OF MENTORING

DEFINITION

ON BECOMING
1 RELATIONSHIP
KEY SKILLS

FORMAL STAGES

STAGE 1
2 INFORMATION
STAGE 2

STAGE 3

STAGE 4
3 PROGRESS
COMMITMENT

SUMMARY

ASSESSMENT
4 FUTURE
APPENDIX
 STAGE 1
RELATIONSHIP
DEFINITION

ON BECOMING

KEY SKILLS

1
FORMAL STAGES
Build a Relationship
STAGE 1
Share. Confirm. Coordinate.
STAGE 2
SKILL: LISTEN ACTIVELY
STAGE 3

STAGE 4

COMMITMENT The first stage of mentoring is building trust and bonding with your protégé.
SUMMARY Share your interests and background. Get to know one another.

ASSESSMENT Confirm your expectations for the year and the trust you each place on the relationship.
APPENDIX
Coordinate your calendars and establish ground rules for engagement (schedule, email, phone, in-
person).
 STAGE 2
INFORMATION
DEFINITION

ON BECOMING

KEY SKILLS

2
FORMAL STAGES
Exchange Information & Set Goals
STAGE 1
Goals. Priorities. Encouragement.
STAGE 2
SKILL BUILD TRUST
STAGE 3

STAGE 4

COMMITMENT The second stage of mentoring continues to build on shared expectations, trust, and bonding.
SUMMARY Define the goals of your protégé and the year ahead for the mentoring relationship.

ASSESSMENT Establish priorities based on your collective expectations and shared backgrounds.
APPENDIX
Provide encouragement as you determine appropriate goals for the year.
 STAGE 3
PROGRESS
DEFINITION

ON BECOMING

KEY SKILLS
Target Goals &
3
FORMAL STAGES
Deepen Engagement
STAGE 1
Energy. Investigation. Encouragement.
STAGE 2
SKILL: SET GOALS & BUILD CAPACITY
STAGE 3

STAGE 4

COMMITMENT The third stage is often the most challenging, testing progress toward goals and the effectiveness of
SUMMARY
the relationship. It is marked by deepened engagement between mentor and protégé.

ASSESSMENT Maintain the relationship’s energy by keeping commitments modest but consistent and
conversation rich and rewarding.
APPENDIX
Assist with the investigation of resources, and introduce your protégé to others important to their
success.
Providing encouragement is key, as protégés often cite this as the most important contribution of
a mentor.
 STAGE 4
FUTURE
DEFINITION

ON BECOMING

KEY SKILLS
End Formal Relationship &
4
FORMAL STAGES
Plan for the Future
STAGE 1
Reflection. Transition. Connection.
STAGE 2
SKILL: ENCOURAGE & INSPIRE
STAGE 3

STAGE 4

COMMITMENT The fourth stage of mentoring focuses on the future success of your protégé while bringing your
formal relationship to an end.
SUMMARY

ASSESSMENT Reflect on the accomplishments of the last year, identifying key elements for future focus.

APPENDIX Define the transition your mentoring relationship will take moving forward, if any.

Make connections between your protégé and any resources and people that might be of future
benefit.
 FORMAL MENTORING 12 MONTH TIMELINE

DEFINITION

ON BECOMING

KEY SKILLS

FORMAL STAGES
3
STAGE 1
Months
STAGE 2 2 3
Months Months
STAGE 3

STAGE 4
6
COMMITMENT Months

SUMMARY

ASSESSMENT

APPENDIX
 SUMMARY
Mentoring is a time-honored tradition, sharing experiences and enthusiasm with less
DEFINITION
experienced individuals.
ON BECOMING
Mentoring can be either formal or informal.
KEY SKILLS
Formal mentoring is intentional. Informal mentoring is spontaneous.
FORMAL STAGES
Mentors must be encouraging and committed to the success of their protégé.
STAGE 1
Key mentoring skills include: Active Listening
STAGE 2 Trust Building
STAGE 3 Goal Setting & Capacity Building
STAGE 4 Encouragement & Inspiration

COMMITMENT Four phases of mentoring are: Relationship Building

SUMMARY Information Exchange & Goal Setting

Progress Toward Goals & Deeper Engagement
ASSESSMENT
Ending Formal Relationship & Planning for the Future
APPENDIX
The most important element in a mentoring relationship is encouragement.
 ASSESSMENT
Test your understanding of Mentoring by answering the following questions:
DEFINITION

ON BECOMING
Of the four key mentoring skills reviewed, check the one considered most critical by protégés:
Trust Building Encouragement & Inspiration
KEY SKILLS
Active Listening Goal Setting & Capacity Building
FORMAL STAGES

STAGE 1 Describe the difference between “Formal” and “Informal” mentoring:

STAGE 2
Describe the four stages of formal mentoring:
STAGE 3
1.
STAGE 4 2.

COMMITMENT 3.
4.
SUMMARY
Reflect on the idea of serving as a Detroit mentor. In a few words, describe what you hope to gain
ASSESSMENT
from the experience and what you can offer a protégé:
APPENDIX
 APPENDIX
Mentoring Source Material Adapted From:
DEFINITION
Center for Health Leadership & Practice, The (2003). Mentoring guide. A guide for mentors. [Monograph].
ON BECOMING Retrieved from http://www.rackham.umich.edu/downloads/more-mentoring-guide-for-mentors.pdf

KEY SKILLS Shea, Gordon F. (1997). Mentoring (Rev. Ed.). Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications. Retrieved from
http://www.learningservices.emory.edu/mentor_emory/mentorstory.html
FORMAL STAGES
Dutta, Amit. (2014, October 28). What are some example of great mentors in the history of the world? [Web log
STAGE 1 post]. Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-examples-of-great-mentors-in-the-history-of-the-
world
Rhodes, Jean. (2015, September 13). Top 25 mentoring relationships in history. [Web log post]. Retrieved from
STAGE 2 https://chronicle.umbmentoring.org/top-25-mentoring-relationships-in-history/

STAGE 3

STAGE 4 Presentation Credits

COMMITMENT Titles: Futura Bold

SUMMARY Subheads & Supporting Text: Futura Medium

Body Text: Garamond Regular & Garamond Bold

ASSESSMENT
Photo Credit: Thomas Hawk on Visual hunt / CC BY-NC
APPENDIX
Diego Rivera Mural Caption: https://anotherwalkinthepark.com/2015/08/16/detroit-institute-of-art/