Adult Mentoring: Why and How?

Every mentor hits the session where the action plan hasn't happened and the conversation starts going round in circles. The framework you started with needs adapting, and sometimes you need a different one altogether.

You'll learn to use a mentoring circle to review what's worked, what got in the way and whether your mentee still wants the goal at all. There are three other models to borrow from (OSCAR, STRIDE and GROW), and a theory of change for setting out what a whole mentoring programme is meant to achieve.

Then there's the practical side that makes or breaks it. How often should you meet, and when is it time to switch mentors? Plan for twice the time you promise, and agree an exit strategy from the first session.