Discover tips and strategies for becoming an effective mentor in the tech industry, offering the guidance and support you once sought as a software engineer.
For me, the harderst part is number 2: not jumping straight to answers or advice.
My instict is to think I can always solve the problems of the other side, especially ones I experienced myself. It tends to be a problem in relationships too 🙃
Loved your tips on that on, the advice about just sharing a personal related story is spot on. Explaining what worked for you, and understanding it's never 100% the same situtation.
A key point I feel is missing, is helping your mentee understand what they can aim for, getting out of their comfort zone. My main experience is with mentoring my employees, and that's a key part of it. If they set the goals themselves, often people aim too low.
Regarding the compliments - this is a tricky one, especially if you don't directly work with that person.
I hate when people 'patronize me', by complimenting on something that's not relates to them. There is a big difference between a compliment from your manager, who sees your work, and someone from outside.
The balance in my opinion is understanding what are the things you know enough - for example, if your mentee did a tough conversation you knew was hard for them. You can compliment on having the guts to do the conversations - but saying 'I think it was a great conversation' is less suitable imo. You weren't there :)
This is the type of feedback I would love receiving for growth. Genuinely, I appreciate stuff like this so much.
On helping your mentee realize what they can aim for, you're absolutely right. I think that is definitely an area that should be touched on more here. I appreciate the callout. I was thinking I should do a part 2 too since there is so much that can be said about good mentorship. I'll be sure to include that.
On compliments, yeah I should have explained more and given some more examples. I felt it was getting a bit long so you can tell its shorter on the last 3 😂. I meant for things that you see, like if you see them give a presentation you helped them prep for (or didn't help but they did good on their own), reviewed their tech spec and gave compliments in addition to improvement feedback, or if you've noticed growth in a particular area that the two of you have been working on.
Well written articles deserve thoughtful feedback :)
Yep, I got your meaning about the compliments, just want to make it clear. Especially with remote mentorship (like you are doing on Mentorcruise), those nuances matter.
Even with a good manager/mentor it still really helps to own and drive towards where you want to go long term in your career rather than just letting them tell you what to do.
Wow, that is so nice to hear, Daniel. I really appreciate that. If you see any difference after applying these, I'd be so curious to hear about it. Feel free to reach out any time!
I have mentored some of my coworkers, but I knew there was a lot of room for improvement in the way I did things. This is a solid checklist for improvement as a Mentor.
Thanks so much, Priyam. I agree. It really is a superpower. If you can get multiple, even better.
And yes, that's the goal. To be honest, I'm not the perfect mentor but I know that doing these things have made me much better so I wanted to share the best I can
For me, the harderst part is number 2: not jumping straight to answers or advice.
My instict is to think I can always solve the problems of the other side, especially ones I experienced myself. It tends to be a problem in relationships too 🙃
Loved your tips on that on, the advice about just sharing a personal related story is spot on. Explaining what worked for you, and understanding it's never 100% the same situtation.
A key point I feel is missing, is helping your mentee understand what they can aim for, getting out of their comfort zone. My main experience is with mentoring my employees, and that's a key part of it. If they set the goals themselves, often people aim too low.
Regarding the compliments - this is a tricky one, especially if you don't directly work with that person.
I hate when people 'patronize me', by complimenting on something that's not relates to them. There is a big difference between a compliment from your manager, who sees your work, and someone from outside.
The balance in my opinion is understanding what are the things you know enough - for example, if your mentee did a tough conversation you knew was hard for them. You can compliment on having the guts to do the conversations - but saying 'I think it was a great conversation' is less suitable imo. You weren't there :)
I love this in-depth feedback, Anton.
This is the type of feedback I would love receiving for growth. Genuinely, I appreciate stuff like this so much.
On helping your mentee realize what they can aim for, you're absolutely right. I think that is definitely an area that should be touched on more here. I appreciate the callout. I was thinking I should do a part 2 too since there is so much that can be said about good mentorship. I'll be sure to include that.
On compliments, yeah I should have explained more and given some more examples. I felt it was getting a bit long so you can tell its shorter on the last 3 😂. I meant for things that you see, like if you see them give a presentation you helped them prep for (or didn't help but they did good on their own), reviewed their tech spec and gave compliments in addition to improvement feedback, or if you've noticed growth in a particular area that the two of you have been working on.
You are welcome Jordan!
Well written articles deserve thoughtful feedback :)
Yep, I got your meaning about the compliments, just want to make it clear. Especially with remote mentorship (like you are doing on Mentorcruise), those nuances matter.
Solid advice, Jordan!
Owning your own growth is huge!
Even with a good manager/mentor it still really helps to own and drive towards where you want to go long term in your career rather than just letting them tell you what to do.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Caleb. I always am so grateful for your feedback
As a mentor, I found these extremely valuable, thank you. I will be incorporating these right away
Wow, that is so nice to hear, Daniel. I really appreciate that. If you see any difference after applying these, I'd be so curious to hear about it. Feel free to reach out any time!
Thank you for the invaluable tips, as always.
I am particularly fond of the examples you provide to "instantiate" the problem class 😬 and avoid being too generic.
Thanks Carlo. I appreciate that because it's exactly what I'm going for. I'm glad you feel that way and I have that reassurance 🤝
golden post!
I have mentored some of my coworkers, but I knew there was a lot of room for improvement in the way I did things. This is a solid checklist for improvement as a Mentor.
Thank you, Jordan.
Thanks, NK. It makes me so glad to hear you found it valuable and it gives you some ideas for the future.
Great article!
Thanks so much, Priyam. I agree. It really is a superpower. If you can get multiple, even better.
And yes, that's the goal. To be honest, I'm not the perfect mentor but I know that doing these things have made me much better so I wanted to share the best I can