MENTORING MODELS: AMERICAN and EUROPEAN.

Mentor and mentee

What is Mentoring?  Part 2

MENTORING MODELS: AMERICAN and EUROPEAN.

These are two different approaches to mentoring.

 

American model.

The American model is dominated by sponsorship. In it, the mentor is on a step or even a few steps above the mentee, who has achieved a lot in his field. The essential thing in such mentoring is advice. The mentor advises the mentee, indicates what and how the mentee should do, “opens the door for him,” i. e. involves in certain projects, introduces certain people, etc. So the mentor dominates.

 

European Model.

The European model of mentoring is based on its concept dating back to ancient times. The Odyssey of Homer. The real mentor here was Athena, the goddess of wisdom, strategy and war, patroness of arts, crafts and science. She helped the right soldiers in a patronizing way. By talking to Odysseus and his son Telemach, she helps them become wiser.

Thus, in the European model of mentoring, mentoring is identified as helping the more experienced one through a non-directive conversation in order to become wiser to both. Through speaking, reflecting.

Both are equal interlocutors.

Yes, the mentor has more experience in the particular field in which he is mentoring. But his goal is not to impose his experience, but to understand the context of mentee, thanks to his experience to ask mentee more accurate questions that help to better understand the situation, while looking for a way forward. And grow together every time.

 

Before designing a Mentoring program it is very important to think what do you really need.

 

I invite you to tell me, what kind of mentoring program will be the best option for your organization?

Do not hesitate to let me a message 🙂

This Way
Or that way

WHAT IS MENTORING DIFFERENT FROM COACHING?

Mentor and mentee

What is Mentoring?  Part 1

WHAT IS MENTORING DIFFERENT FROM COACHING?

No matter what country you are in, Lithuania, Italy, France or even Great Britain! You will definitely get these questions often if you mention mentoring.

 

Why did I emphasize Great Britain so much? Because in Europe it is one of those countries where mentoring has been developed for quite some time. If you want to study the subtleties of mentoring at the University, you will definitely find such a program in this country. The representative of this country also established the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), which takes care of the professionalism of Mentoring activities and the accreditation of practitioners who meet those professional standards.

 

But to my surprise, when I speak to fellow British, I heard that they face the same issues as those working in other countries. And that they also often have to explain how Mentoring differs from Coaching.

 

Mentoring vs Coaching

Coaching is focused on solving a specific problem, and mentoring is focused on personal growth and development. So coaching is problem-oriented, and mentoring is person-centered.

 

It is not necessary for the coaching specialist to have experience in the area where the problem is being addressed, and for the mentor this experience is necessary. We are looking for a mentor who is experienced in the field in which he will be mentoring. This way he will be able to share his wisdom and experience with us.

 

The mentor often uses elements of coaching in his practice. They both need the same competencies. However, the mentor not only has a good knowledge and application of coaching techniques, but must also have experience in the field being mentored, as well as use all other methods, not just coaching techniques, helping others to improve, together looking for answers, ways to achieve goals.

Mentoring is often referred to as “coaching+”. Because mentoring is much broader than coaching. It cares not only about the specific problem solved, but about human development.

 

Here I didn’t write all differences, maybe I will publish them in my blog.

I invite you to tell me if you want more about this topic…

Do not hesitate to let me a message 🙂

This Way
Or that way

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