Mentoring Meaning

One definition of Mentoring meaning is this:

a senior or more experienced individual(the mentor) is assigned to act as an advisor, counselor, or guide to a junior or trainee

This is particularly seen formally in employment but I believe mentoring plays a far bigger role in our lives than we give it credit for.

For as long as we have known, young people have turned to experienced or more mature individuals. Think wise men or women in tribes, think apprenticeships, think education systems. In order for our societies to grow and develop, elders have guided the youth in ways of living. The sharing of skills and knowledge from those with more extensive experience or indeed specific expertise is the basis of most of our human knowledge.One kind of mentoring that is undervalued is Peer Mentoring. This kind of mentoring has a different meaning and profile from other types. This role has a different mentoring meaning. This mentoring is not top down. This is support between equals.

Removing the top down element of mentoring shifts the dynamic and thus the outcome considerably. With peer mentoring the relationship is based on enabling the other to find their own solutions to their problems. Peer mentoring performs more of a facilitation role. Peer mentoring need not thus be sector specific because this is not an advisory role. In fact cross-sector or multidisciplinary input is welcomed in peer mentoring. With cross sector experiences come differing perspectives and with differing perspectives come unexpectedly effective problem solving.

Equality within the relationship of peer mentoring also removes the risks associated with giving the ‘wrong’ answer. How challenging can it be to generate a solution whilst in the glare of the brilliance of someone who is already mistress of your ambition? Peer mentoring can allow for the exploratory, risk taking and occasionally mistake-making that would crucify our confidence if they happened in front of our heros. I’m certainly not saying aim high and see if you can work with or at least consult with your heroine. This is often a task I set clients in order to both earn them the opportunity to realise that this heros are human and to be inspired by their work never the less.

I am also saying that if can be really valuable to held within the remit of a peer mentoring relationship too. Find someone you like, respect and who similarly holds you on good heart. Find someone with whom you share values and aspirations for your professional development. Find someone who will show up regularly, who will celebrate your successes with you and genuinely commiserate your failures. Someone who will hold you accountable for the scary things you said that you would do. Find someone with whom seeming disasters can become giggles and who can kindly hear of your business bruises and gently intervene when they see high risk ahead. Find someone who will cheer you on.

Then what? Do all of this, whole heartedly and rigorously in return. Go on risk asking and trusting, step by step, and see what you can build between you. Peer mentoring is collaborative and wise. Peer mentoring meaning for me is “gold dust”. Invaluable, “life and business enhancing” stuff!

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