Description

In this episode, Natalie shares insights on mentoring from a recently delivered keynote address. She begins by defining mentoring and stating its importance relative to advancing in one's career. 

Natalie and Joy go on to discuss the benefits and shortcomings of both formal mentoring programs as well as mentoring relationships that are cultivated more "organically." They share their own experiences as mentors to others and also as the recipients of mentoring. 

Natalie and Joy introduce and explain a 7-step framework (created by Natalie and posted on her website) for establishing and maintaining a strong mentoring relationship:

1. Why - Know why you need a mentor
2. Who - Identify potential mentor candidates
3. Introductions - Connect with several mentor candidates
4. Pre-meeting homework - Research who you are meeting with
5. Meet with potential mentors
6. Meeting follow up
7. Nurture and follow through

Joy then describes foundational steps for establishing a mentoring relationship, which include categorizing and assessing the strength of our network. She explains this via an article by Linda Hill and Kent Lineback, The Three Networks you Need. Joy also makes the point that mentoring can be a great path toward addressing development areas and gaps in experience.

Connect with joy at http://www.joyschwartz.com and Natalie at http://smalltownleadership.com

Authors and sources cited in this episode include: Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Connections.mic on meeting organically, “The Three Networks you Need,” by Linda Hill and Kent Lineback, and last but not least, Natalie's website: http://smalltownleadership.com/ with mentoring-specific resources, located here.