Ebook: The Mentoring Pocketbook

This book gives practical strategies for starting and maintaining mentor partnerships in organizations. Written for the business community, these techniques can be used in any setting. A small pocket-sized book, just right for lunch or the train ride home, it's a quick read with humorous illustrations and applicable quotes. Most notably is the three stage model for guiding the mentor through the mentoring process. A process that includes exploring the relationship, reaching new understandings and action planning. Each stage is described and the authors give strategies and methods for working within the stages. In addition, each stage has suggested comments and questions the mentor might say when communicating with the mentee. The authors suggest that the mentor use this model for reflection and planning.

The book falls short in many ways. It does not emphasize the important distinctions between mentoring and managing. More coverage should have been given to this topic since managers/supervisors/coaches are more likely the audience for this book. Also, it glazes over the very practical issue of time by estimating that mentors spend 2-3 hours a month mentoring. The authors do not say what this figure is based upon. Lastly, it does not adequately address the importance of the reciprocity in mentoring partnerships. This book is meant for mentor and mentees, but the mentee's role as guider is downplayed.

Coming up with the right thing to say has always been a challenge for me. I like that this little book actually gives a handful of sample questions and comments I can use. Also, the author gives some good tips for both the mentor and the mentee in the process. An added bonus is the issues and questions section in the back of the book, followed by some blank pages for note-taking.