Mentoring is the best way known to share knowledge, experience and expertise throughout our Toastmasters organization. It pairs talented, experienced Toastmasters (mentors) with promising, less experienced Toastmasters (mentees) to the benefit of everyone. In mentoring, we guide and walk with our fellow Toastmasters in their growth. True leaders distinguish themselves by rising as high as they can with their people. Educator John Maxwell defined it as equipping people, but it translates well to Toastmaster mentoring.
1. We teach others what we know. We tell other Toastmasters what we’ve learned and experienced; we share how Toastmasters can help them.
2. We model what we do. When we serve as a club officer or district officer, we invite a person to work with us (shadow us, serve as an assistant) to learn what it is we do so they can do it too. Learning what to do is not enough; people need to see how it is done as well.
3. We let them do the work (with guidance). We become long term mentors helping members achieve their goals. The Top 3 District Officers mentor Division Governors, who mentor Area Governors, who mentor clubs, who mentor members. Everyone gains experience and knowledge.
4. They assume full responsibility. They seek office or ways to contribute to their clubs and the District. Our roles as mentors have been completed; we must now allow the mentees to stand on their own and further define their knowledge and experience.
5. The process is renewed. They begin to mentor someone else, and the cycle continues.
1. Create an atmosphere of trust. Trust is so important, yet so hard to establish between people. Ethical, respectful behavior will lead to a trusting relationship, so be impeccable with your word. In mentoring situations, are you willing to work with them in doing whatever it is you ask them to do? Do you follow through with your promises?
2. Develop a shared vision with a common set of values. The most important factor in forming a cohesive group is a unity of purpose. Does the team know its purpose? Are the action steps that lead to the goal defined? Vision comes alive when everyone sees that his or her contribution makes a difference.
3. Communicate with your team. Mentoring begins with communication. In the world of leadership and communication, it is the critical element, the powerful tool that produces action. Are you informing the team of progress so everyone knows what is needed to reach team goals?
BANGSAR TM Club encourages you to obtain a Mentor when you join and within 3 meetings if possible. Remind your club President if we overlook it. Be sure to obtain your mentor’s phone number and email address. They can be helpful in many ways, i.e., sit next to them in meetings, ask questions, get feedback in speech topic selection, Toastmasters protocol and club protocol.
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A Toastmaster Mentoring Model
1. We teach others what we know. We tell other Toastmasters what we’ve learned and experienced; we share how Toastmasters can help them.
2. We model what we do. When we serve as a club officer or district officer, we invite a person to work with us (shadow us, serve as an assistant) to learn what it is we do so they can do it too. Learning what to do is not enough; people need to see how it is done as well.
3. We let them do the work (with guidance). We become long term mentors helping members achieve their goals. The Top 3 District Officers mentor Division Governors, who mentor Area Governors, who mentor clubs, who mentor members. Everyone gains experience and knowledge.
4. They assume full responsibility. They seek office or ways to contribute to their clubs and the District. Our roles as mentors have been completed; we must now allow the mentees to stand on their own and further define their knowledge and experience.
5. The process is renewed. They begin to mentor someone else, and the cycle continues.
Three Keys in Toastmaster Mentoring
1. Create an atmosphere of trust. Trust is so important, yet so hard to establish between people. Ethical, respectful behavior will lead to a trusting relationship, so be impeccable with your word. In mentoring situations, are you willing to work with them in doing whatever it is you ask them to do? Do you follow through with your promises?
2. Develop a shared vision with a common set of values. The most important factor in forming a cohesive group is a unity of purpose. Does the team know its purpose? Are the action steps that lead to the goal defined? Vision comes alive when everyone sees that his or her contribution makes a difference.
3. Communicate with your team. Mentoring begins with communication. In the world of leadership and communication, it is the critical element, the powerful tool that produces action. Are you informing the team of progress so everyone knows what is needed to reach team goals?
BANGSAR TM Club encourages you to obtain a Mentor when you join and within 3 meetings if possible. Remind your club President if we overlook it. Be sure to obtain your mentor’s phone number and email address. They can be helpful in many ways, i.e., sit next to them in meetings, ask questions, get feedback in speech topic selection, Toastmasters protocol and club protocol.
adapted...
