MCI Mentoring Program
MCI Mentoring Toolkit
For orientation and ongoing support during the 9-month mentoring program, we have developed a toolkit with various checklists and other helpful resources. These are divided into the 4 phases of the program and can (but do not have to be) used. Only the Mentoring Scorecard (Winding Up phase) has to be filled in by both mentor and mentee at the end and sent to mentoring@mci.edu.
This first phase is all about getting to know each other, building trust, and setting a sound basis for working together. The mentoring contract captures key details for the whole relationship.
The second phase focusses on deepening the relationship. You will assess where the mentee stands and start to identify topics and areas to work on together as well as early goals and challenges.
This third phase is typically the most productive and longest. You are now working on achieving set goals through meaningful discussion, various learning activities, feedback sessions, etc. Issues will be honestly discussed, and new approaches, perspective and ideas can be explored.
With this last phase, the formal mentoring relationship comes to an end. You will revise progress and learnings together, and discuss further development opportunities. Don’t forget to celebrate what you have achieved!
TOOLS FOR MENTORS
Your mentee has made contact, your first meeting is scheduled. This is the start of your relationship – now is the time to prepare for being a mentor. You can do so by attending the MCI Webinar “Being an MCI Mentor” (or watching the recording if you can’t attend) and to familiarize yourself with various mentoring skills. These include active listening, building trust, helping the mentee define goals, and conveying encouragement and inspiration.
Apart from getting to know your mentee, your first meeting is about agreeing on the organizational framework of your mentoring relationship (frequency & location of meeting, etc.). Use the mentoring contract to prepare for these aspects. In your first meeting, you will go through this with your mentee and agree on one common version, which you both sign.
You are also encouraged to start using your Mentoring Diary right from the start.
This first phase is fundamental in getting off to a good start, so it is worth investing some time and effort now – it will pay off later.
You have now met your mentee, had a first discussion about his/her expectations and hopes, and signed the mentoring contract. This second phase is about more deeply assessing your mentee’s needs and exploring areas you can work on together.
As your relationship unfolds, this is a good time to help your mentee become clearer about his/her strengths and areas of development and to focus on specific goals they are trying to achieve. As a mentor, please reflect on your role in this process. You can support your mentee in this phase with examples of your own experience, stories from your own life, and tools to explore various aspects.
Openness and trust are now well established between you and your mentee. This is the most productive phase, and your mentee will appreciate open discussion, candid feedback, new perspectives, and your honest opinion.
Don’t forget to record your observations and thoughts in your mentoring diary – this will be a helpful resource for your continued meetings.
Your mentoring relationship is now coming to an end. Use the last meeting(s) to jointly reflect on the last 8-9 months, especially accomplishments, challenges, and progress towards goals. Make sure you complete the Mentoring Scorecard and submit it to MCI.
Explore other types of support your mentee might benefit from in the future, and discuss whether and how your relationship should continue from here on, outside the formal mentoring program. Express thanks and best wishes, and celebrate!
TOOLS FOR MENTEES
You have contacted your mentor, and scheduled the first meeting. In order to get the most out of the mentoring relationship, it helps to reflect on what your role as a mentee is and what you can do to develop.
Apart from getting to know your mentor, your first meeting is about agreeing on the organizational framework of your mentoring relationship (frequency & location of meeting, etc.). Use the mentoring contract to prepare for these aspects. In your first meeting, you will go through this with your mentor and agree on one common version, which you both sign.
You are also encouraged to start using your Mentoring Diary right from the start.
You have now met your mentor, had a first discussion about your expectations and hopes, and signed the mentoring contract. This second phase is about more deeply assessing your needs and exploring areas you can work on together.
As your relationship unfolds, this is a good time to reflect on your strengths and areas of development. You should also focus on specific goals you are trying to achieve.
You can ask your mentor for advice on specific questions, examples from his/her own experience, and new perspective and ideas. You can make use of a range of tools to help you explore various aspects.
Openness and trust are now well established between you and your mentor. This is the most productive phase, and your mentor will help you develop with open discussion, candid feedback, new perspectives, and his/her honest opinion.
Keep investing in your mentoring relationship – this is where you will get the most out of it. The higher your engagement at this stage, the bigger the benefits will be. So keep meeting with your mentor, ask questions, and record your learnings in your mentoring diary.
Your mentoring relationship is now coming to an end. Use the last meeting(s) to jointly reflect on the last 8-9 months, especially your accomplishments, challenges, and progress towards goals. Make sure you complete the Mentoring Scorecard and submit it to MCI.
Ask your mentor about other types of support you might benefit from in the future, and discuss whether and how your relationship should continue from here on, outside the formal mentoring program. Express thanks and best wishes, and celebrate!