Resources for mentees
Resources for mentors
Other resources
Useful information
Regional events
Best Practice Toolkit

Do’s and Don’ts of Mentoring

It is important to remember the do’s and don’ts of effective mentoring

If you are interested in becoming a mentor it is important to remember the do’s and don’ts of effective mentoring:

Do’s

  • Provide an outside perspective on both the business owner and their business
  • Listen, confidentially, to the things that are worrying the business owner about their company
  • Help by sharing your own experience of both failures and successes
  • Give friendly, unbiased support and guidance
  • Provide honest and constructive feedback
  • Be a sounding board for ideas
  • Facilitate decision making by suggesting alternatives based on personal experience
  • Provide contacts and networks to further personal and business development
  • Inspire the client to realise their potential
  • Provide ongoing support and encouragement

Don’ts

  • Provide a counselling service
  • Give specific technical business advice which would normally be provided by an expert business adviser
  • Provide a training service
  • Provide a coaching service (relating to specific business related tasks, goals and objectives)
  • Provide therapeutic interventions
  • Take responsibility for success away from the business owner