Mentoring With Political Smarts

Submitted by mauzenne on Sun, 11/14/2010 - 23:42.

This guidance describes whom to choose to mentor internally based on political considerations.

We're fans of mentoring at Manager Tools, but not in the way most of the professional world is. For some reason, mentoring is now seen as a substitute for managing – mentors are supposed to coach, and develop, and give feedback. And the tone of the public conversation is that the mentor's role – as "not the boss" – gives them special ability to do that.

Poppycock.

But we do believe in mentoring. Our casts cover both sides of the relationship – mentor and mentee. We think mentoring can add additional development opportunities for the mentee, particularly in relationships and growth in the softer skills.

But is there an advantage for the mentor? There's an investment, for sure: time. But is there a return? Indeed there is, and it's a beauty: political capital. You just have to pick the right people to mentor. Here's how.

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