How Do You Motivate Mentors and Mentees to Embrace a Formal Mentoring Process?

Hi, I am working with a software development center and trying to implement a formal mentoring process within the organization. I have read quite a few articles on the process, etc. The issues I am facing include what will motivate the mentors as well as the mentees to take it up seriously.

I wanted to know if there is any formal process in your organization and if it has succeeded, please share the same.

Regards, Chetana

I have seen a number of organizations successfully implement mentoring programs based on the concepts in the People CMM (Curtis, Hefley, and Miller, Pearson). These concepts build on simple mentoring and assistance into a more formal set of mentoring programs, each with defined objectives and structure. They lay the groundwork for mentors to support individuals and groups seeking to continually improve, such as in performing Six Sigma projects or individualized personal improvement projects.

Hi Chetna, I am a student and maybe I don't have as much knowledge as you. Have you made any attempt to promote a mentoring program? In your company, are they giving incentives and rewards to mentors? Isn't it one of the ways to inspire mentors?

Dear RP Mehta,

Mentoring is a development activity in the interest of the organization in general and of the mentee (learner) in particular, wherein the mentor (who is a senior person and is an amalgamation of guide, coach, trainer, counselor, etc.) develops his/her subordinate. The mentee benefits by drawing a wealth of knowledge and experiences from a mentor.

There are no set targets here, though the development of the mentee is a general target. However, mentoring is not a KRA that merits rewards or incentives. It is a secondary duty. The mentor tries to develop the entire personality of the mentee or tries to build the character of the mentee. For developing personality or building character, how can you pay some incentives?

Ok...

Dinesh V Divekar

Hi Chetna,

I am a student and may not have as much knowledge as you do. Have you made any attempt to promote a mentoring program? Does your company provide incentives and rewards to mentors? Isn't it one way to inspire mentors?