To be at the top of your game, Seedling Mentor, practice these three things!
Mentoring season has begun and to ensure the year goes well, let’s review essential elements of mentoring and howthey can fortify your confidence as a mentor and strengthen your mentor/mentee relationship.
1.The Growth Mindset
The growth mindset is also sometimes called the beginner’s mind (which highlights an openness to new learning), growth-oriented thinking, opportunity minded or open-ended thinking. Developed by psychologist Carol Dweck, the growth mindset is the belief that people’s abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work over time—brains and talent are just the starting point and failures are seen as a chance to learn. This approach to life creates resilience and a love of learning. It emphasizes the power of yet, which is a key concept in developing a growth mindset. Watch this short video to learn more.
By adding the word “yet”, a problem becomes a temporary obstacle –
“I can’t do this” becomes “I can’t do this yet.”
By using the word yet, you are framing a current inability as a temporary state, not a permanent limitation. When caring adults- parents, teachers, neighbors, and, of course, mentors – help youth emphasize a growth mindset, they are truly giving a gift that will last a lifetime.
2.Strength-Based Mentoring
Strength-based mentoring is grounded in the Growth Mindset. The focus is on healthy development and encourages our mentees to be invested and active in our match with them.
For example, mentors work on finding strengths in their mentee’s natural support systems. (i.e., school staff, mentee friends, caregiver) emphasizing the power of community. In strength-based mentoring, there is an emphasis on encouraging youth to explore their existing strengths and skills, instead of focusing solely on developing new ones. Essential skills for strength-based mentoring include the following actions.
Listening- Through listening, we can learn our mentee’s internal strengths, important relationships, interests, resources and limitations, along with their aspirations.
Building Trust- Avoid promises you can not keep. Be honest and caring.
Capturing the Journey- Pay attention and give your mentee an opportunity to reflect on their successes through narration and storytelling. By asking “How did you do that?”, “What happened next?”, “And then what?”, or “How did others respond?” keeps their story going.
Asking, “are we on track?” Use open ended questions to gauge where you are within your relationship with your mentee. Ask things like: “What else can I do to help you feel heard and appreciated?”, What could make our time together more meaningful/enjoyable for you?”, or “What could I do differently to help us communicate better?”
Adapting a youth centered approach- Reflect on your mentee’s strengths, characteristics, and needs often.
Asking for support- We can role model for our mentees to accept there will be mountains and valleys and it is okay to ask for help.
3.Principles of Effective Mentoring
The National Mentoring Center has curated 10 principles that encompass the growth mindset and strength-based mentoring. Remember New Mentor Orientation? These same principles are introduced to you then and no matter where you are in your mentoring journey, applying these principles will strengthen your connection with your mentee.
- Be a friend.
- Have realistic goals and expectations.
- Have fun!
- Give your mentee a voice and choice of how you spend your time.
- Be positive.
- Let your mentee have control of the relationship.
- Listen.
- Respect the trust your mentee places in you.
- Your relationship is with your mentee, not their parent.
- You are responsible for building relationship.
By building your mentee’s confidence, encouraging a growth mindset, and using strength-based mentoring, positive things will happen and your mentee will thrive!
Seedling policies and boundaries…Remember!
- Talk to your Mentor Director, share your mentoring story, ask questions, and respond to emails.
- Connect with your School Contact.
- Seedling is school-based.
- Meet with your mentee weekly (if this is not possible, it is imperative to let the SC know, so they can relay the message to your mentee)
- Holiday gifts are allowed but please keep them at a $25 maximum.
- You only have parental consent to meet with your designated mentee.
- Log your volunteer time in the Seedling portal.
Click here to view training slide deck.
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