How to Get the Most out of Mentoring

A mentor who shares their knowledge and expertise, readily offers guidance and helps you build your repertoire of skills is invaluable.

Advice for mentors:

• Be ready to question, listen, provide constructive feedback and empathise with the coach.
• Be willing to invest your time and support.
• Find someone who can relate to you.
• Offer advice and guidance without being too close to the situation.
• Don’t force your own views as the solution: be open-minded and willing to embrace new points of view.
• Realise where you can help others improve and develop.
• Recognise that it is supporting your own development as a coach and a coach educator.
• Understand that is not a one-way relationship but should be, in my opinion, a case of: ‘How can we support each other in our journey?’.

Advice for mentees:

• You choose the mentor!
• Consider both types of mentoring: formally asking for someone’s support; and informal chats to exchange ideas and light a spark.
• Be open to new and unfamiliar ideas.
• Don’t feel as if you don't need a mentor in your sport. An outsider’s perspective is always useful.

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