Mentoring: the value of a different perspective

I had the privilege of mentoring Tim Telford of Devtank, a fantastic business whose work is well worth exploring.

Looking back on that opportunity reminds me why mentoring matters to me. Running a business brings decisions that can be difficult to discuss openly, particularly when everyone around you is looking to you for the answer.

Having someone outside the day-to-day demands of the business can create space for a different kind of conversation.

For me, good mentoring begins with listening. Before offering a view, you need to understand what the person is trying to achieve, what concerns them and what might be getting in their way. Experience can be useful, but it needs to fit the circumstances of the person you are supporting.

There is little value in assuming that an answer which worked in one business will automatically work in another.

Sometimes a mentor can share a relevant experience. At other times, the most useful contribution is a question that helps someone examine an assumption or see a choice more clearly. The conversation might confirm their thinking, or it might challenge them to reconsider it.

Either way, the decisions remain theirs. The aim is to help someone develop their own judgement and confidence, so they can move forward with greater clarity.

That requires trust. People need to feel comfortable admitting uncertainty, discussing a concern or testing an idea before it is fully formed. They also need to know that encouragement comes with honest challenge when it is needed.

I believe the mentor has something to learn too. Working with people who bring different knowledge, ambitions and experiences can challenge your own thinking. You have to remain curious and resist the temptation to do all the talking.

Tim has shared his perspective on the experience in the video below. I would rather let him describe it in his own words.

Watch Tim’s reflections on mentoring.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytLY0mr56wg

Tim is now listed as Devtank’s co-founder and CEO. The business develops test, measurement and automation solutions, with an emphasis on open technology. You can explore the team’s work on the Devtank website. devtank.co.uk

It was a privilege to contribute some time and experience. The work of building a business belongs to the people doing it, but a thoughtful conversation at the right moment can be a valuable source of support.

For anyone considering mentoring, whether as a mentor or someone seeking support, I would encourage you to explore it. You do not have to wait until you have a crisis or a perfectly formed question.

Who gives you the space to step back, question your assumptions and think about what comes next?