Foundations of effective mentoring

Learning Outcomes:

  • By the end of the session, participants should have acquired solid knowledge about mentoring methodology, skills and competencies to use mentoring with young people and a comprehensive understanding about what mentoring is;

Duration:

3 hours

Materials needed:

  • Laptop or computer

  • Projector and screen  

  • PPT Presentation

  • Whiteboard and markers  

  • Flip charts and markers  

  • Post-it notes  

  • Pens and notebooks for participants  

  • Printed handouts on mentoring methodologies 

  • Evaluation forms for feedback  

Preparation

  1. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation covering key aspects of mentoring methodology. 
  2. Print handouts summarizing mentoring strategies and techniques. 
  3. Arrange the room to facilitate group work and discussions. Create an inclusive environment: arrange the space to accommodate everyone, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities and providing resources for people who do not speak/understand the language of the module fluently. Support adequately people with special needs with regards to guidance, time management, engagement etc. (e.g. parents, workers, individuals with learning difficulties, etc.).  
  4. Gather all necessary materials (listed above).  
  5. Prepare the aspects of role-play mentoring scenarios.  
  6. Prepare a Kahoot learning game for participants to complete at the end of the session to evaluate their understanding of the topic of mentoring.    
  7. Share the PowerPoint Presentation along with any additional resources with the participants.  

Description

Introduction and Icebreaker Activity (30 minutes) 

Welcome and Overview: Briefly introduce the session objectives and schedule. 

Icebreaker Activity: Engage participants with a quick activity to get to know each other and create a comfortable learning environment. 

 

Theoretical background understanding (45 minutes) 

Prepare a PowerPoint presentation following the following structure: 

Timeline (45 minutes): 

  1. Introduction (2 minutes) 
  2. Video Watching (6 minutes) 
  3. Post-Video Discussion (5 minutes) 
  4. Brainstorming Session (10 minutes) 
  5. Group Work Part 1 (10 minutes) 
  6. Group Work Part 2 (10 minutes) 
  7. Conclusion and Q&A (2 minutes) 

 

Slide 1: Title Slide:

    • Title: Fundamentals of Mentoring
    • Subtitle: Understanding the Essentials through Video and Interactive Activities

 

Slide 2: Introduction 

    • Objective: To understand mentoring concepts through two short YouTube videos, followed by interactive discussions and activities.
    • Agenda: 
      • Watch two YouTube videos 
      • Interactive discussions and group activities 

 

Slide 3: Video Introduction 

    • Video Selection: “What is mentoring”, “The benefits of mentoring” (approx. 6 minutes together) 
    • Mentoring Themes: Definition of mentoring, roles and responsibilities of a mentor, types of mentoring, and benefits of mentoring. 

 

Slide 4: Video Watching Instructions 

    • Instructions: 
      • Duration: 6 minutes 
      • Focus Points: Pay attention to the definitions, roles, types, and benefits of mentoring mentioned in the video. 

 

Slide 5: Post-Video Discussion 

    • Discussion Points: 
      • Definition: How did the video define mentoring? 
      • Roles and Responsibilities: 
      • What roles and responsibilities of a mentor were highlighted? 
      • What were the key success factors discussed? 
      • Benefits: What benefits of mentoring were mentioned for both mentors and mentees? 

 

Slide 6: Interactive Activity: Brainstorming Session 

    • Activity Explanation:
      • Objective: To engage participants in identifying the roles and responsibilities of a mentor based on the video.
      • Instructions: Participants brainstorm in pairs or small groups to list as many roles and responsibilities of a mentor as observed in the video. 
      • Discussion: Share findings with the larger group and create a comprehensive list on a shared board. 
    • Notes for the trainer: 
        • Pursue: Encourage diverse ideas, and foster open discussion. 
        • Avoid: Dominating the conversation, dismissing unconventional ideas. 

 

Slide 7: Interactive Activity: Group Work (Part 1) 

    • Activity Explanation: 
      • Objective: To explore different types of mentoring and their characteristics based on the video. 
      • Instructions: Divide participants into small groups. Each group discusses and prepares a short presentation on one type of mentoring depicted in the video. 
      • Presentation: Groups present orally their findings to the larger group. 
    • Notes for the trainer: 
      • Pursue: Encourage collaboration and creativity in presentations. 
      • Avoid: Overly directing the groups, allowing for independent exploration. 

 

Slide 8: Interactive Activity: Group Work (Part 2) 

    • Activity Explanation: 
      • Objective: To identify and enumerate the benefits of mentoring for both mentors and mentees based on the video. 
      • Instructions: Assign each group one of the following topics: 
      • Identifying different types of mentoring 
      • Outlining the roles and responsibilities of a mentor 
      • Enumerating the benefits of mentoring for both mentors and mentees 
    • Discussion: Groups share their conclusions orally with the larger group. 
    • Notes for the trainer: 
      • Pursue: Facilitate discussion and ensure each group covers their topic comprehensively. 
      • Avoid: Allowing any group to dominate the discussion, ensures balanced participation. 

 

Slide 9: Conclusion 

    • Recap: 
      • Reflect on the video and the mentoring concepts discussed. 
      • Summarize key takeaways on mentoring roles, types, and benefits. 
      • Final Thoughts: The importance of integrating mentoring into personal and professional development. 

 

Break (15 minutes) 

Provide refreshments and encourage informal networking among participants. 

 

Practical Exercise (60 minutes) 

  1. Divide participants into Small Groups (5 minutes): form groups of 4-5 participants each. Ensure diversity within groups to enrich the role-playing experience.
  2. Explain Scenarios: introduce three mentoring scenarios to the entire group. Provide detailed descriptions and context for each scenario (5 minutes):
    • Scenario 1: A young person struggling with career choices.
    • Scenario 2: A student needing academic guidance.
    • Scenario 3: A youth dealing with personal challenges.  
  3. Preparation Time (20 minutes): 
    • Assign each group one scenario to start with. They will rotate through all three scenarios. 
    • Allow groups time to discuss their assigned scenario, decide roles (mentor and mentee), and plan their approach.
  4. Role-Playing (20 minutes): 
    • Each group will role-play their first scenario for 5 minutes, then switch roles and repeat the scenario for another 5 minutes. 
    • Rotate groups through all three scenarios, ensuring each group experiences all the scenarios as both mentor and mentee. 
    • Debrief and Feedback (10 minutes): 
    • After completing all scenarios, bring all groups together to discuss their experiences. 

 

Practical Exercise Discussion (15-20 minutes) 

After the role-plays, reconvene and discuss the experiences. Focus on what worked well, what challenges were encountered, and how they were addressed. Possible discussion points: 

  • What challenges did you face in each scenario? 
  • How did you approach mentoring in each case? 
  • What strategies worked well, and what could be improved? 

 

To move to the debriefing part of the session, start summarizing the key points discussed during the session. 

After the debriefing, close the session by providing additional resources for further learning. And encourage participants to apply the learned methodologies in their mentoring practices. 

Debriefing

Kahoot Learning Game (optional) 

At the end of the session, participants will engage in a Kahoot learning game to assess their understanding of key mentoring concepts. 

The trainer will create a Kahoot game with a variety of questions, including multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer formats.  

This game will cover the fundamentals of mentoring, roles and responsibilities of a mentor, types of mentoring, and the benefits for both mentors and mentees.  

The trainer will begin by explaining the Kahoot platform and game rules, taking about 5 minutes.  

Participants will then join the game using their devices and answer questions in real-time, which will take around 15-20 minutes depending on the number of questions.  

Following the game, the trainer will conduct a 10-minute debriefing session to discuss the answers, address any misconceptions, and explore insights gained from the activity.  

 

Group Discussions and Debriefing 

After the role-playing exercises, the trainer will facilitate a group discussion where participants share their experiences, challenges, and what they learned from the practical exercise. 

The trainer will ask reflective questions to encourage deeper understanding and self-assessment, such as: 

  • What worked well during your mentoring scenario? 
  • What challenges did you face and how did you address them? 
  • How will you apply these mentoring techniques in real-life situations? 

 

Participant Reflections 

Participants will be asked to write brief reflections on their key takeaways from the session. This reflection activity will help them consolidate their learning and articulate their understanding of mentoring methodologies and strategies. 

Example reflection prompt: “Describe one new insight you gained about mentoring and how you plan to use it with young people.” 

 

Feedback Forms 

Although replaced by a quiz, brief feedback forms can still be used to gather participants’ thoughts on the session’s effectiveness and their self-assessed learning progress. Feedback questions might include: 

  • How confident do you feel about applying the mentoring techniques discussed today? 
  • What aspects of the session were most useful to you? 
  • Do you have any suggestions for improving the session?

Tips

Delegate tasks equitably: share power and responsibilities among participants to foster a sense of ownership and engagement. 

Select appropriate materials: choose materials that are relevant, inclusive, and sensitive to the diverse needs of the participants. Ensure that the materials directly relate to the topics being covered and resonate with the participants’ experiences and interests. This helps maintain engagement and facilitates deeper understanding. Use diverse and representative materials that reflect the backgrounds, cultures, and experiences of all participants. This could include multilingual resources, culturally sensitive content, and examples from various contexts. Be aware of and address any potential biases or stereotypes in the materials. Aim for content that respects and acknowledges the diverse identities and experiences of the participants. 

Adjust pace accordingly: be flexible and adapt the session’s pace based on the participants’ needs and understanding. 

Provide support and guidance: offer additional explanations and examples as needed to ensure comprehension and engagement. 

Practical Exercise Observation:

  • During the role-playing exercise, the trainer will observe participants as they perform mentoring scenarios. The trainer will look for the application of mentoring strategies and techniques discussed in the theoretical part of the session. 
  • The trainer will provide real-time feedback and support, noting how well participants implement communication skills, goal-setting, feedback methods, and conflict-resolution strategies. 

 

Theoretical Overview of Mentoring (45 minutes): 

  • Make it Real: Instead of just presenting theoretical concepts, bring mentoring to life by sharing personal stories or case studies that highlight different mentoring styles. Ask participants to reflect on mentors they’ve had and discuss what made those relationships effective or challenging.
  • Encourage Curiosity: After watching the mentoring videos, don’t just ask for feedback—spark curiosity. Challenge participants to think beyond the obvious and question why certain mentoring styles work better in different contexts. For example, how might cultural differences impact the mentor-mentee relationship?
  • Interactive Discussions: During the brainstorming sessions, create an environment where all voices are heard by encouraging quieter participants to share their thoughts. Offer prompts like, “What’s something surprising you learned from the video?” or “How would you handle a similar situation in your own life?”

 

Role-Playing Exercise (60 minutes): 

  • Set the Scene: Before diving into role-play, give participants time to really understand their characters. Encourage them to think deeply about the motivations and challenges of both the mentor and mentee. Ask them to step into the shoes of a mentor facing a difficult decision, or a mentee struggling with personal issues, and embody those emotions in the exercise.
  • Personalized Feedback: As you observe the role-plays, offer real-time, specific feedback, but also pose reflective questions like, “How do you think the mentee felt after that conversation?” or “What could the mentor have done differently to inspire more trust?”
  • Foster Empathy: Encourage participants to think about how they would feel in both roles. What does the mentee need that the mentor isn’t providing? How can the mentor show greater support or challenge the mentee to grow?

 

Debrief and Group Discussion (15-20 minutes): 

  • Deepen Reflection: After role-playing, don’t just review what went well—push participants to think critically about what didn’t. Ask, “What was the hardest part of stepping into the mentor role?” or “What made you uncomfortable, and how did you handle it?” This leads to more thoughtful self-assessment.
  • Create Connections: Tie the discussion back to real-world applications. How can they apply the mentoring techniques in their own jobs or personal life? Encourage them to make concrete action plans for using what they’ve learned.

Handouts and resources

Summary of mentoring methodologies Handout

Mentoring Strategies and Techniques Handout

Sample Mentoring Session Plans Handout

Kahoot game handout “Mentoring Mastery: Test Your Knowledge”

Book “The mentor’s guide : facilitating effective learning relationships” by Zachary, Lois J

Book”Mentoring at work: developmental relationships in organizational life”,by Kram, Kathy E

Effective Communication Strategies for Mentors” by Mind Tools

“Best Practices for Mentoring” by Harvard Business Review

Mentoring 101: Strategies and Techniques” by ATD

Sample Mentoring Activities” by University of Wisconsin-Madison

Creating Effective Mentoring Programs” by Management Mentors

Mentoring Program Toolkit” by Mentor

Mentor: The National Mentoring Partnership

International Mentoring Association

Youth Mentoring Network

National Mentoring Resource Center

Management Mentors

The European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC)

Book”Mentoring in Action: Guiding, Sharing, and Reflecting with Novice Teachers” by Carol Pelletier Radford 

The Coaching and Mentoring Network

Mentoring and Coaching: The Roles and Practices

Video”What is mentoring?”

Video”The benefits of mentoring”

The trainer(s) can use these handouts for the session or create their own, as long as the same basic concepts are included (mentoring, benefits of mentoring principles, roles and responsibilities of a mentor, types of mentoring, best practices, etc ).

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