Mentoring Resources

In response to the calls and emails based on my two-part blog on The Importance of Mentoring, I’m listing some resources to help you further understand mentoring.  Keep in mind as you read through these that mentoring is “a structured and trusting relationship that brings professionals together who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee.”

I’ve found these resources helpful through the years as I mentor others, have been mentored, and in implementing mentoring programs for clients.

They are presented in no particular order but are grouped for your convenience.  You can find the books in traditional and online booksellers.  For the articles, you can find them all online.

Books

Coaching and Mentoring by Jane Renton

Mentoring at Work by Kathy E. Kram

The 2020 Workplace:  How Innovative Companies Attract, Develop & Keep Tomorrow’s Employees Today by Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willverd

Articles

“Mentoring Millennials” by Jeanne C. Meister and Karie Willverd, Harvard Business Review, May 2010

“Finding a Mentor” Inc., Aug 6, 2002

“The Uber Mentor” by Elaine Appleton Grant, Inc. Sep 1, 2002

“Four Myths About Mentoring” by Amy Gallo, Harvard Business Review, February 1, 2011

“Mentors Make a Business Better” by Emily Keller, Business Week, March 20, 2008

“In Praise of the ‘Anti-Mentor’” by Keith McFarland, Business Week, May 15, 2007

“Why Mentoring Matters in a Hypercompetitive World” by Thomas J. DeLong, John J. Gabarro, and Robert J. Lees, Harvard Business Review, January 2008

Other resources

SCORE—www.score.org—they are a nonprofit organization offering free workshops, advice, and mentors to small businesses.

Menttium—www.menttium.com—offering mentor programs for women in leadership.

Center for Non Profit Management—www.cnmdallas.org—based in Dallas, they offer programs for non profit groups.

Center for Non Profit Success—www.cfnps.org—they offer programs and mentors for non profit groups in many major US cities.

Management Mentors—www.management-mentors.com—an organization dedicated to helping leaders and mentors thrive.

If you’re in a professional organization, they usually have a mentoring program.

And don’t forget the Small Business Administration—they offer a variety of services including individual mentors.

© Copyright 2011, Dynamic Growth Strategies.  All rights reserved. 

Am I ready for a 360° Feedback program?

Lately I’ve received a lot of calls and emails about doing a 360° Managerial Feedback program for clients.  It’s been my experience that this is actually quite common during tough times, such as many organizations are currently enduring.  I thought it might be worthwhile to outline why and how to use such a program.

I’ve used such programs since 1990 and have found them quite useful, when deployed appropriated.  I’ve done such programs for companies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions.

The core purpose of any such program should be to provide feedback to managers from their peers, direct reports, and superior manager regarding performance.  (Note:  when you read manager you can substitute ‘leader’ if it fits your organization.)

Such a program is appropriately used for performance development, coaching, and teambuilding.

A 360º feedback program should not be used as a substitute for giving performance feedback, especially difficult issues.  Caution is also advised not to use this process in place of ongoing, forthright performance feedback, succession planning, or basic career discussions and decisions.  This includes using it as a mechanism to ‘weed-out’ poor performers.  Just don’t do it!

A few of the critical issues that have to be considered before embarking on such a program include:

  • Willingness—all parties must be willing to participate and understand the reasons for the feedback

  • Confidentiality—ensure feedback is confidential and anonymous

  • Implementation—can be done via web or paper copy

  • Follow-up Coaching—report will be reviewed with consultant and manager initially with an opportunity for the manager to develop action plans; second meeting with raters held a few weeks after initial coaching; further coaching recommended depending on results and usage

Before I begin a program, I discuss the following questions:

Are your managers experienced in their roles and their current team?

Yes—  If they have managed their current team for more than nine months, then they and their teams have enough behavioral information to use in completing a feedback program.

No—  If they are new to this team or if there is a constant state of flux in organization, the ability to complete a beneficial feedback program will be difficult.

I also ask if they have ever been through a similar such feedback program.  If they have, I ask about their experiences.  I find this is quite helpful in preparing the overall program—selection of feedback tool, coaching, and action planning.  Likewise, I strive to learn if such a program has been used by the organization and, if so, how successful it was.  In particular, I like to find out how it was perceived by raters (employees) as well as management.

Is the 360º Feedback Program integrated with other managerial and organizational development activities?

Yes—  If the feedback program is one of the activities used to develop the company and its managers, then it will be readily accepted as another component of building the business and its leaders.  Other components could include training, mentor programs, and job rotation.

No—  If this is the only activity to develop your managers, it will not be effective.  Managers and employees will not understand why and how feedback will develop them or their teams.  They will assume it is being implemented because of problems, to ‘weed-out’ ineffective managers, or to target employees who make negative comments.

What is your primary reason for implementing a 360º Feedback Program?

Management performance feedback.  While a program can be effective in giving managers effective direction, it should not be used in place of good, continual feedback regarding their performance.  They should receive regular such input from their management, peers, and direct reports and this program can augment that process.  It should be used in tandem with such feedback.

Other companies are doing it.  It seems to be popular.  Use caution in relying on other companies and their programs to adopt processes that are integral to your business.  Just as you would not singularly adopt another company’s accounting system, you should use discretion in choosing a feedback program for your company that is specific to your needs.  I often get calls from people saying that they’ve heard how wonderful such a program has been at another company.  Or they have read a book about such program.  Again, I work with them to ensure they understand the usages and implications of a program.  I once had a CEO insist that his CFO undergo a 360 process that was specifically tailored for salespeople.  I told him that it just didn’t make sense to do so.  He said the reason was to help the CFO understand the importance of sales.  I actually refused to do the program since I believe there are other ways to accomplish this.  (That, plus can you imagine the confusion of the raters having to give feedback to the CFO on their ability to sell—the assumptions and rumors would be rampant.)

Management and team development.  This can be the most powerful reason to adopt a 360º Feedback Program because it is most beneficial when it is geared towards building your leaders and teams into crucial contributors to your company’s success.  Such a program should be integrated into other business and people practices to gain maximum application and outcomes. 

My executive team wants it.  It is great that your executives see the need to develop their managers and teams.  While this is a welcome opportunity, ensure that you are clear on how they plan to use the program and why they are interested in it.  Take the time to discuss the program’s implications, implementation, and intent before launching it.  Challenge them to champion the program by beginning the process with them and then having them share it with their managers.  This will model effective leadership and encourage the entire organization to accept the program.