This guide provides an introduction to mentoring, including how mentoring programs work and the importance of crafting compelling mentor and mentee profiles. It also explains the process of enrolling in open enrollment or admin-driven programs, finding recommended mentors, and accepting or declining mentor requests. Additionally, it offers in-depth information about the matching algorithm used to pair mentors and mentees. This guide is valuable for anyone interested in understanding the basics of mentoring and how to participate in a mentoring program effectively.
1. Mentoring Introduction
A mentoring program is a type of development program that connects experienced mentors to individuals within the same organization who are looking for support and/or to expand their skills. In an organizational setting, a mentor influences a mentee’s personal and professional growth.
Mentoring programs within Sounding Board allow your organization to connect internal users looking to develop professionally. Create a mentoring program in the Sounding Board platform to design how mentoring is offered or utilized throughout your organization and to define the parameters of the mentoring engagements as part of the program.
2. Mentoring Programs
Admins have various choices when creating mentoring programs, which will affect the look and feel of the system for mentors and mentees. The important configuration differences are the type of mentoring program(s) you are or can enroll in -
- Open Enrollment - Mentors and mentees can decide to participate in the program and handpick their ideal mentor or mentee.
- Admin Driven - Admins designate users within the program as mentors or mentees and match them for mentoring engagements.
3. Mentoring Profiles
Crafting compelling Mentor and Mentee Profiles is essential in any mentoring program. These profiles serve as beacons for individuals seeking guidance and inspiration, attracting the right matches, and facilitating meaningful connections.
A well-formulated mentor profile showcases expertise, passion, and values, inviting mentees to connect and laying the foundation for impactful mentorship journeys. For more information, see Complete Your Mentor Profile.
Similarly, a thoughtful mentee profile highlights goals, challenges, and eagerness to learn, guiding mentors who align with development needs. Remember, these profiles are invitations to make a difference and commit to growth, benefiting both individuals and the entire program. For more information, see Complete Your Mentee Profile.
Tip: Mentoring Profiles
You'll be prompted to fill out your mentoring profile at different times, depending on the type of program you are in or enroll in -
- Open Enrollment - As soon as you enroll in this type of program, you will be prompted to fill out your mentoring profile(s) based on whether you enroll as a mentor or mentee (or both!).
- Admin Driven - When you are enrolled in this type of program, you will be prompted to fill out your mentoring profile when you log in next to the system. Admins will then work to match mentees with mentors who best fit them.
Note: Mentoring Profiles are required for both program types.
4. Open Enrollment - Recommended Mentors
Once users have enrolled into an open enrollment program as a mentee (see Enrolling into an Open Enrollment Program as a Mentee), they will be presented with Recommended Mentors.
Mentees will be presented with their top 3 matches, noting the best fit. If users prefer, they can search for mentors based on specific qualities or expertise. Remember, mentees should aim for a mentor who can help them grow, even if they're not identical in style. Users should focus on finding someone who can elevate their thinking and guide them toward their goals.
Once mentees find a mentor they would like to work with, they can request mentorship. For more information, see How to Request a Mentor in an Open Enrollment Program.
Tip: If you are interested, here is some more in-depth information about our matching algorithm used for both open enrollment and admin driven programs.
If you're participating in a mentoring program with automated matching, it's beneficial to understand how our AI-powered process selects your top 3 matches. Your program administrator can customize the matching process by setting criteria such as language, time zone compatibility, and alignment of leadership levels and functional experience between mentors and mentees. These filters ensure that the AI considers important factors when suggesting matches tailored to your needs.
Our proprietary matching algorithm takes into account not only these criteria but also the Work Style Assessment results of both the mentee and potential mentors. This comprehensive approach ensures that the top 3 recommended matches are a good fit for your style and preferences. With a 95% success rate for coaching and mentoring, our matching algorithm aims to pair mentees with mentors who can quickly establish rapport while offering valuable perspective and diverse approaches to developmental experiences.
Whether you're part of a structured program or an open enrollment initiative, the AI-powered matching process guarantees that your top 3 recommended matches will suit your needs and preferences. However, if you prefer, you can use the search functionality to narrow down your selection based on specific mentor qualities or areas of expertise that are most critical to your mentoring experience.
5. Open Enrollment - Accepting/Declining Mentees
When users are enrolled as mentors (see Enrolling into an Open Enrollment Program as a Mentor) and requested for mentorship, you will receive an email and an in-app notification alerting you to review the request. To respond and access information about the request, you can follow the link in the email or in-app notification or navigate to the Mentoring Requests tab on your dashboard. You will have two weeks, or 14 days, to either decline or accept the mentor request; the request will expire after that time. For further information, see Accept or Decline Mentoring Requests.