The first step in the mentoring process will be to define the two main learning objectives with your mentee. Remember to keep track of the progress on the objectives as you continue the mentorship!
Goal setting can be a challenge for mentees for several reasons. Therefore, we want to make sure that you have all the tools you need to set your mentee up for success. The most useful tool is the GROW(TH) model (Sir John Whitmore and colleagues).
The acronym GROW stands for Goal, Current Reality, Options (of Obstacles) and Will (or Way forward). Below you will find an adaptation to the mentorship.
- Establish the Goal
Start by defining a behaviour that requires change and structure it as a goal they want to achieve. Make sure that it is a SMART goal: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound.
- Ask your mentee: How will you know that the goal has been achieved? Does this goal fit with your career objectives?
- Examine the Current Reality
Ask your mentee to describe their current reality. Take time to ask in-depth questions about specific situations, context, and background.
- What is happening now? What is the result of this? Have you taken any steps towards your goal?
- Explore the Options
Now take the time to determine all the possible options for reaching their objective. Help your mentee brainstorm for viable options; then help them decide on the best ones. Offer your own suggestions after they have come up with ideas.
- What else could you do? What if this constraint were removed? What are the advantages or disadvantages of each option? What obstacles stand in your way?
- Establish the Will
Now that your mentee has a good idea of how to achieve their goal, set up a plan for commitment to specific actions in order to move toward their goal. Plan a follow up meeting to review the progress.
- So, what will you do now and when? What could stop you from moving forward and how will you overcome this? How can you keep yourself motivated? When do you need to review progress; daily, weekly, monthly?
5. Tactics and Habits
The two letters, T and H, have been added later on. Establishing tactics and habits for goal setting makes the process more sustainable and attainable overall, so ask your mentee these questions. These might take some time to be established, so give your mentee enough time to reflect on them.
- Tactics = How and when will you do it?
- Habits = How will you sustain your success?
Want to learn more about goal setting? Check out our blog post on the topic here.