MENTORING

GUIDE
A Guide for Mentors

Center for Health Leadership & Practice

A Center of the Public Health Institute

Mentoring Guide
A Guide for Mentors

Center for Health Leadership & Practice

Public Health Institute
Oakland, CA

November 2003
This mentoring Guide is based on materials originally developed by
the Center for Health Leadership & Practice, Public Health Institute,
for the State Health Directors Executive Mentoring and
Consultation Program of the State Health Leadership Initiative
(SHLI).
The SHLI is administered by the National Governors
Association with funding provided by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation.

ii

About the Author

The Center for Health Leadership & Practice (CHLP), a Center of the Public
Health Institute, is based in Oakland, CA. CHLP has been engaged in leadership
development enterprises (international, national, and California-based) since
1991.
Our programs and consultation services include:
Custom-designed leadership development strategies and curricula
Workshops, retreats, and presentations including collaborative
leadership, team dynamics, and cultural proficiency
Senior level team building and strategic planning
Customized mentoring programs, and training in coaching and
mentoring skills
Succession planning strategies for leaders, team members, and
human resources personnel
Adult learning approaches, assessment tools, and train the trainer
programs to build organizational capacity
For further information about CHLPs activities and services and to order
additional copies of this guide and its companion, please contact us at:

Center for Health Leadership & Practice

Public Health Institute
555 12th Street Suite 1032
Oakland, CA 94607
510-285-5586
510-285-5587 (fax)
Office@cfhl.org www.cfhl.org

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Table of Contents

What is Mentoring ......................................................................................1

How Do I Become A Mentor? ...................................................................1
Key Mentoring Skills ...................................................................................3
Stages of Formal Mentoring Relationships...............................................6
Stage I: Building the Relationship .............................................................6
Stage II: Exchanging Information and Setting Goals .............................7
Stage III: Working Towards Goals/Deepening the Engagement ..........8
Stage IV: Ending the Formal Mentoring Relationship and Planning
for the Future............................................................................................9
Appendix I
Mentoring Best Practices...........................................................................11
Appendix II
Mentoring Goal Form.................................................................................12
Appendix III
Selected Annotated Bibliography............................................................15

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What is Mentoring?
In The Odyssey (written by Homer, a Greek poet), Odysseus (known as Ulysses in
the Latin translation) was preparing to fight the Trojan War when he realized he
would be leaving behind his only son and heir, Telemachus. Since the child was
young and wars typically dragged on for years (the Trojan War lasted 10 years),
Ulysses entrusted Telemachus care and education to Mentor, his wise, trusted
friend.
Today, mentoring is a process in which an experienced individual helps another
person develop his or her goals and skills through a series of time-limited,
confidential, one-on-one conversations and other learning activities. Mentors
also draw benefits from the mentoring relationship. As a mentor, you will have
the opportunity to share your wisdom and experiences, evolve your own
thinking, develop a new relationship, and deepen your skills as a mentor.

How Do I Become a Mentor?

There are many kinds of mentoring relationships, ranging from informal to formal.
An informal mentoring relationship usually occurs in a spontaneous format. (Think
of times you have been helped by someone more experienced than you
without explicitly asking to be mentored.) Informal mentoring may also occur
within the context of other relationships such as a supervisory relationship or
even peer relationships. A formal mentoring relationship is characterized by its
intentionality the partners in the relationship ask for or offer the mentoring,
establish goals for the relationship and make agreements about its nature. There
are also mentoring programs that facilitate formal mentoring relationships. A
facilitated mentoring relationship has been defined as a structure and
series of processes designed to create effective mentoring relationships; guide
the desired behavior change for those involved; and evaluate the results for the
protgs, the mentors and the organization.1 These mentoring relationships
occur within a structured and defined framework and involve a third party.
Often these programs have a specific goal such as helping participants develop
their careers.
Mentoring relationships can occur at all professional levels. The key feature of a
mentoring relationship is that a more experienced individual helps another
achieve his or her goals and develop as a person. The mentor may help the
protg (the person being mentored) develop specific job skills or leadership
capacities. The mentor may work in the same organization, have experience in
the protgs organizational context, or have experience in the same field.
1

Murray, M. Beyond the Myths and Magic of Mentoring: How to Facilitate an Effective Mentoring Process. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass Inc., 2001.

If you have been approached to be a mentor, or would like to offer to be

someones mentor, reflect on these questions prior to committing to the
relationship:

What experiences and learning can I bring to the mentoring relationship?

What are my own expectations for the relationship?
Are there any obstacles that could impede the relationships
development?

This guide will help you develop the skills you need to make the most of the
mentoring relationship, whether formal or informal. Use it to plan your mentoring
interactions. (A companion guide, Mentoring Guide: A Guide for Protgs, is
also available. See Appendix III.) Although mentors can be sought for various
spheres of ones life, this guide focuses on mentoring within a professional
context. The guides format is intentionally simple and brief to facilitate its use by
busy people.

Key Mentoring Skills

The mentoring literature shows that mentors and protgs tend to employ
certain mentoring skills. Research also indicates that these skills can be
developed, and that particular skills or competencies seem to result in the most
successful mentoring relationships. Linda Phillips-Jones, Ph.D., mentoring expert
and author of The New Mentors & Protgs: How to Succeed with the New
Mentoring Partnerships, and numerous guides and tools for mentors and
protgs (see Appendix III), studied hundreds of mentor-protg relationships
and developed a set of critical mentoring skills and competencies. The key
mentoring skills discussed here are adapted from her work.

KEY MENTORING SKILLS

Listening Actively
Building Trust
Determining Goals and Building
Capacity
Encouraging & Inspiring
You will likely recognize the skills outlined here and may have experience
employing them successfully in other relationships. As you progress through the
mentoring relationship, try to employ these skills whenever possible.
1.

Listening Actively

Listening actively is the most basic skill you will use throughout your relationship.
Active listening not only establishes rapport but creates a positive, accepting
environment that permits open communication. By listening actively, you will
ascertain your protgs interests and needs. Examples include the following:

Show interest in what he or she is saying, and reflect back important

aspects of what he or she has said to show that youve understood;

Use body language (such as making eye contact) that shows you are
paying attention to what he or she is saying; and

If you are talking to him or her by phone, reduce background noise

and limit interruptions. Your protg will feel that he or she has your
undivided attention. When utilizing e-mail, answer within 24 hours if
possible, and be sure your message is responsive to his or her original
message.

2.

Reserve discussing your own experiences or giving advice until after

your protg has had a chance to thoroughly explain his or her issue,
question, or concern.

Building Trust

Trust is built over time. You will increase trust by keeping your conversations and
other communications with your protg confidential, honoring your scheduled
meetings and calls, consistently showing interest and support, and by being
honest with your protg.
3.

Determining Goals and Building Capacity

As a role model, you should have your own career and personal goals and
share these, when appropriate, with your protg. It is also likely that he or she
will ask you how you set and achieved your own goals. In addition, you can
help your protg identify and achieve his or her career and personal goals.
You will develop your protgs capacity for learning and achieving his or her
goals by doing the following:

4.

Assisting him or her with finding resources such as people, books,

articles, tools and web-based information;

Imparting knowledge and skills by explaining, giving useful

examples, demonstrating processes, and asking thought-provoking
questions;

Helping him or her gain broader perspectives of his or her

responsibilities and organization; and

Discussing actions youve taken in your career and explaining your

rationale.

Encouraging and Inspiring

According to Dr. Phillips-Jones research, giving encouragement is the

mentoring skill most valued by protgs. There are many ways to encourage
your protg.
Try some of these:

Comment favorably on his or her accomplishments;

Communicate your belief in his or her capacity to grow

personally and professionally and reach his or her goals; and

Respond to his or her frustrations and challenges with words of

support, understanding, encouragement and praise. (Just
knowing that someone else has been there can be
tremendously helpful.)

You can also inspire your protg to excel. Examples include the following:

Share your personal vision or those of other leaders;

Describe experiences, mistakes, and successes you or others

have encountered on the road to achieving your goals;

Talk with him or her about people and events that have inspired
and motivated you; and

Introduce him or her to your colleagues who can be additional

useful contacts or inspiring models.

Reflecting on your mentoring practice, noting use of the key mentoring skills,
observing progress made in the relationship, and requesting feedback from your
protg are excellent ways to assess whether you are employing these skills.

Stages of Formal Mentoring Relationships2

Like most relationships, mentoring relationships progress through stages. Your
formal mentoring relationship will likely reflect four developmental stages with
each stage forming an inherent part of the next:
I.

Building the Relationship

II.

Exchanging Information and Setting Goals

III.

Working Towards Goals/Deepening the Engagement

IV.

Ending the Formal Mentoring Relationship and Planning for the Future

There is no strict formula for determining the length of each stage. In a year-long
relationship, for example, Stages I and II typically unfold during the first three to
four months of the relationship. Typically, the relationship winds down in months
11 and 12. Options for continuing the relationship in a less formal way are
addressed in Stage IV.
The sections that follow discuss practical activities for progressing successfully
through each stage.

Stage I: Building the Relationship

During this phase, you will get to know each other and begin to establish trust.
During your first meeting (ideally face-to-face), discuss your backgrounds,
experiences, interests, and expectations. You will also make agreements about
confidentiality and the frequency of contact.
During this first stage, it is important to establish a schedule for communicating
regularly, whether in-person, by phone, or e-mail.

Phillips-Jones, L. (2001) Personal communication. Adapted from CCC/The Mentoring Groups Mentor
and Mentee training materials.
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There are a number of questions you may want to ask your protg during your
second meeting:

Tell me a little more about yourself, your skills, your organization or

community, the political environment, some key challenges you are
facing, etc. (Begin by reflecting back a few of the key experiences and
interests he or she expressed during your first meeting.)

How have you benefited from other mentoring relationships?

What are some of your preliminary goals for our mentoring relationship?

Stage II: Exchanging Information and Setting Goals

During Stage II, you will exchange more information and set goals. Your
relationship and trust will deepen. As the mentoring relationship unfolds, be
attentive to practicing active listening and consistently expressing
encouragement.
Helping Your Protg Set Goals:
By exchanging information, you will gain insight into the goals your protg
hopes to achieve through the mentoring relationship. Mentors have provided
their protgs with input and support on a great variety of issues and
challenges. For example, your protg may want to improve his or her skills in a
particular area. Alternatively, he or she may need your guidance on a major
decision.
Goals are helpful because they help the protg see beyond the day-to-day
demands of his or her position and help him or her gain clarity on how to get the
most out of the mentoring relationship. Encourage your protg to discuss his or
her goals with you. Suggest that he or she complete the Goal Form (Appendix II)
and share it with you.
Coach your protg to refer back to his or her goals periodically as a way of refocusing on goals and measuring progress. Referring to the goals regularly is also
a good way for you to know if you are helping him or her achieve them.

Stage III: Working Towards Goals/Deepening the Engagement

During Stage III, which is typically the longest, you will help your protg work
towards achieving his or her goals through conversations, sharing written
materials, trying various learning and development activities, and introducing
him or her to other colleagues. This is a rich phase marked by openness and
trust, meaningful discussion, and application of new insights and approaches.
Your protg needs your ongoing encouragement at this stage. You may also
feel comfortable enough to challenge him or her to think in new ways or
approach a problem differently.
This is a good point in the journey to reflect on progress toward goals and on the
relationship itself. Consider discussing the following:

What are the benefits of the relationship up to this point? How am I

helping you (protg) achieve your goals?

What changes do you see in yourself and in the way you approach your
work as a result of the mentoring relationship?

What kinds of adjustments or changes, if any, are needed in your goals or

in our relationship?

This is also the stage during which energy in the relationship can wane!
Sometimes, the protg will feel concerned that he or she is burdening you.
Other responsibilities will often compete with his or her commitment to the
mentoring relationship. If you havent heard from your protg, check in with
him or her. Take the lead if necessary. Also take stock of your own time and
energy. Is the partnership working well for you? Do you need to make some
adjustments?
This is a highly rewarding phase of the relationship, but challenges may arise.
Here are some examples of challenges other mentors and protgs have faced
and resolved.

Time and energy. The most common challenge by far is finding sufficient
time to do all you want to do in the partnership. Despite good intentions,
other priorities interfere for both of you.

Solution: Think small rather than large, especially in the beginning. Avoid
promising more time than you can deliver. Check with your protg to be
certain you are both comfortable with the time you are spending and
with the learning that is occurring.

Building trust quickly. With only a few hours of contact each month, it is
not easy to build the kind of trust you both would like.
Solution: Other mentors have successfully used several strategies, such as
the following: Listen very carefully, and remember what your protg has
said in the past. Demonstrate your credibility. Keep your promises and
commitments -- if any need to be changed, let your protg know
immediately and reschedule or renegotiate them. Admit some errors
made and lessons learned. Avoid talking negatively about others. Above
all, keep the confidences your protg shares with you.

Not being the expert on all your protgs needs. Many mentors find it
difficult when they do not have all the answers.
Solution: Explain your role as learning facilitator early in your relationship.
Tell your protg that you will not have all the answers, and you are
looking forward to learning together as well as seeking help from others
who are more expert on different topics.

Being sensitive to differences. Particularly in the beginning, it is tempting to

assume that both of you are the same. In fact, you will share experiences.
Explore and learn from your differences as well.
Solution: In addition to discovering all your similarities, work carefully to
identify the differences between you and your protg. For example, how
do the specifics of his or her position differ from the role(s) youve played?
What is occurring now for him or her that you did not face? If you are of
different generations/ages, genders, races, cultural groups, or professional
backgrounds, what different experiences have you both had? Assume a
learning mode, and invite discussion about all of these topics. As Stephen
Covey reminds us in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Seek first to
understand.

Stage IV: Ending the Formal Mentoring Relationship and Planning for
the Future

During this stage, planning for the protgs continued success is balanced with
bringing the formal mentoring relationship to a close. Work with your protg to
define the types of support he or she may need in the future. You may want to
connect him or her with additional colleagues who can provide benefits other
than those provided by you. This is also a good time to explore your protgs
own interest in one day mentoring someone.
Adjournment brings closure to the journey. Your final discussion should be
dedicated to the following:

Reflecting on accomplishments, challenges, and progress towards

goals;
What will your protg remember most about the relationship?
What challenges lie ahead for him or her?

Exploring other types of support he or she may still need;

Discussing whether the relationship will continue informally and how

you will implement that; and

Expressing thanks and best wishes!

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Appendix I
Mentoring Best Practices

Think of yourself as a learning facilitator rather than the person with all the
answers. Help your protg find people and other resources that go beyond
your experience and wisdom on a topic.

Emphasize questions over advice giving. Use probes that help your protg
think more broadly and deeply. If he or she talks only about facts, ask about
feelings. If he or she focuses on feelings, ask him or her to review the facts. If
he or she seems stuck in an immediate crisis, help him or her see the big
picture.

When requested, share your own experiences, lessons learned, and advice.
Emphasize how your experiences could be different from his or her
experiences and are merely examples. Limit your urge to solve the problem
for him or her.

Resist the temptation to control the relationship and steer its outcomes; your
protg is responsible for his or her own growth.

Help your protg see alternative interpretations and approaches.

Build your protgs confidence through supportive feedback.

Encourage, inspire, and challenge your protg to achieve his or her goals.

Help your protg reflect on successful strategies he or she has used in the
past that could apply to new challenges.

Be spontaneous now and then. Beyond your planned conversations, call or

e-mail out of the blue just to leave an encouraging word or piece of new
information.

Reflect on your mentoring practice. Request feedback.

Enjoy the privilege of mentoring. Know that your efforts will likely have a
significant impact on your protgs development as well as your own.

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Appendix II
MENTORING GOAL FORM*

(To be completed by the protg.)

Name: ____________________________________ Date: _____________

What do you want to achieve through engaging in the mentoring relationship?
Complete this form and discuss your goals with your mentor. Examine your goals
periodically, and discuss progress made.
Goal #1:

Benefits to You:

Benefits to Your Program/Organization/Community:

Potential Barriers to Success:

Adapted from Leadership Enterprises (www.leadershipenterprises.com)

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Resources/Support Needed to Achieve Goal:

How Progress Will Be Measured:

Goal #2:

Benefits to You:

Benefits to Your Program/Organization/Community:

Potential Barriers to Success:

Resources/Support Needed to Achieve Goal:

How Progress Will Be Measured:

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Goal #3:

Benefits to You:

Benefits to Your Program/Organization/Community:

Potential Barriers to Success:

Resources/Support Needed to Achieve Goal:

How Progress Will Be Measured:

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Appendix III

Selected Annotated Bibliography

Mentoring
Bell, C. R. (1998) Managers as Mentors. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler
Publishers. Chip Bells approach to mentoring embodies development for the
protg and the mentor as well as important psychological principles of
interpersonal development. Bells approach is suitable for individuals at differing
levels of both work and mentoring experience.
Center for Health Leadership & Practice (2002) Mentoring Guide: A Guide for
Protgs. Oakland, CA: Center for Health Leadership & Practice, Public Health
Institute. This is the companion guide to Mentoring Guide: A Guide for Mentors.
Available at www.cfhl.org.
Cohen, N. (1999) Effective Mentoring. Amherst, Massachusetts: HRD Press.
This practical small pocket guide provides quick access to basic mentoring
concepts and techniques. It supports the developmental approach to
mentoring relationships, i.e. the need to be aware of mentor behaviors,
importance of maintaining/monitoring the relationship via written
documentation, etc. Critical keys to successful mentoring are clarity of goals
and making connections.
Murray, M. (2001) Beyond the Myths and Magic of Mentoring: How to Facilitate
an Effective Mentoring Process. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Provides models and
guidelines for designing, implementing and evaluating a facilitated mentoring
process within organizations. Includes useful tools and case examples.
Peterson, D.B. & Hicks, M.D. (1996) Leader as Coach. Minneapolis, Minnesota:
Personnel Decisions International Corporation. The authors approach coaching
as a critical dimension of leadership. Many of the strategies, techniques, and
models presented can be applied to mentoring relationships.
Phillips-Jones, L. (2000) The Mentor's Guide. Grass Valley, CA: Coalition of
Counseling Centers (CCC)/The Mentoring Group. Practical workbook for
mentors. Includes Mentor's View of Mentoring Process, Frequently Asked
Questions, Critical Mentoring Skills, Mentoring Etiquette, detailed Mentor's
Checklist of Tasks, Sample Activities, blank and sample Mentor Plans, etc.
Appropriate for new and experienced mentors.
Phillips-Jones, L. (2000) The Mentees Guide. Grass Valley, CA: Coalition of
Counseling Centers (CCC)/The Mentoring Group. Practical workbook for
persons seeking or paired with mentors. Includes protg's View of Mentoring
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Process, Frequently Asked Questions, Critical Mentoring Skills, detailed protg's

Checklist, Mentoring Etiquette, blank and sample protg plans, etc.
Phillips-Jones, L. (2001) The New Mentors and Protgs: How to Succeed with the
New Mentoring Partnerships. Grass Valley, CA: Coalition of Counseling Centers
(CCC)/The Mentoring Group. Describes how to find the right mentors and
become a mentor for others. Includes numerous cases, how mentoring
changed in the nineties, the new mentoring etiquette, and design ideas for
planned mentoring.
Phillips-Jones, L. (2000) "Strategies for Getting the Mentoring You Need: A Look at
Best Practices of Successful Mentees." Grass Valley, CA: Coalition of Counseling
Centers (CCC)/The Mentoring Group. 14-page booklet for individuals looking for
specifics on finding mentors. Used as career development resource for
individuals in all levels of organizations.
Phillips-Jones, L. (1998) "75 Things to Do with Your Mentees: Practical and
Effective Development Activities You can Try." Grass Valley, CA: Coalition of
Counseling Centers (CCC)/The Mentoring Group. 12-page booklet of protg
development activities successfully used by mentors.
Shea, G.F. (1999) Making the Most of Being Mentored: How to Grow from a
Mentoring Partnership. Menlo Park, CA: Crisp Publications, Inc. Offers
information, exercises and self-study activities for protgs and people seeking a
mentor.
Shea, G.F. (1996) Mentoring: A Practical Guide. Menlo Park, CA: Crisp
Publications, Inc. A simple middle manager level how to book on mentoring
that effectively presents concrete, detailed activities and exercises. The author
advances the notion that mentoring is the empowerment of the protg by
developing his or her abilities in a dynamic partnership.
Zachary, L. J. (2000) The Mentors Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning
Relationships. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. A comprehensive guide to
developing successful mentoring relationships and programs. Includes useful
examples and exercises.
Learning/Creativity
Dalton, M.A. (1998) Becoming a More Versatile Learner. Greensboro, North
Carolina: Center for Creative Leadership. Versatility in learning and helping a
protg understand the personal and even political power of that versatility can
be critical to the success of a mentoring relationship. This 25-page book
captures the expansion process of learning.

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Gryskiewicz, S. (1999) Positive Turbulence: Developing Climates for Creativity,

Innovation, and Renewal. Greensboro, North Carolina: Center for Creative
Leadership. Sometimes a mentoring relationship can stall because of
contextual factors for the protg. This book is about changing climates - from
roles and relationships to economics and politics.
von Oech, R. (1990) A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More
Creative. New York, New York: Warner Books. This classic book is one of the best
quick hits on trying to move to a different way of looking at something. Both
clever and humorous, this book will help a protg or mentor become more
creative.
Personal Purpose/Direction/Meaning
Hakim, C. (1994) We Are All Self-Employed: The New Social Contract for Working
in a Changed World. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Hakim
presents a convincing case that everyone, whether self-employed or part of a
large organization, is responsible for their own career success. He provides
numerous ideas for how to discover ones passion and how to find or create
satisfying work.
Leider, R.J. (1997) The Power of Purpose: Creating Meaning in Your Life and
Work. New York, New York: MJF Books. Leider offers a compelling discussion of
the call to work, a frequently identified topic between mentor and protg. He
provides a practical guide for creating meaning in your life and work. He
focuses on living and working from the inside out, grounding soul work in the
common practice of everyday life.
Leider, R. J. & Shapiro, D.A. (1996) Repacking Your Bags: How to Live with a New
Sense of Purpose. New York, New York: MJF Books. Often revealed in a
mentoring relationship is the dynamic of I have no balance in my life between
work and family. The authors present a step-by-step approach to help a person
set down the unnecessary burdens carried in life and live with a renewed sense
of purpose.
Interpersonal Relationships/Managing Conflict/Dealing with Politics
Scott, G. G. (2000) Work with Me: Resolving Everyday Conflict in Your
Organization. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black Publishing. Significant time may be
spent in a mentoring relationship discussing ways to handle power struggles,
politics of the work context, and friction with difficult people. Scott presents the
model ERI (emotion, reason, and intuition) for managing these issues and
dealing with politics.
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Wall, B. (1999) Working Relationships: The Simple Truth About Getting Along with
Friends and Foes at Work. Palo Alto, CA: Davies-Black Publishing. No matter
how good you are at what you do, the most important factor and often the
most frustrating challenge in determining your success and satisfaction in the
workplace is your ability to forge effective relationships with others. Often a topic
of discussion in a mentoring relationship, this book offers excellent examples for
handling the world of interpersonal relationships.

18