Why Is Accountability Good When You Have a Mentor or Coach?
When engaging in mentoring in business, it is important to understand that it is a two way relationship.
There should be openness, honesty, and accountability on both sides.
In the same way that a younger employee is accountable to their mentor, the person mentoring must approach their position of power with responsibility.
Mentoring and Coaching - When coaching or mentoring in business, it is important to treat people with the respect they deserve.
Too many companies developed a culture where bullying and shouting was viewed as mentoring.
Bullying or intimidating lower level employees is not acceptable in leadership skills development.
Create an Atmosphere for Mentoring in Business - The best way a business leader can conduct coaching in business is to set up the right atmosphere.
By treating workers with respect, by collaborating with others on projects, encouraging teamwork, and praising those who succeed, leaders create a positive work environment.
Leadership Skills Development - Why is it that leadership, mentoring and coaching is emphasized in sports teams but not in businesses? If athletes require mentoring and coaching on a daily basis, is the same not true for employees? Yes, it is.
The best businesses foster an environment of mentoring and accountability.
Chain of Behavior - The way you mentor someone will have a profound impact on how they behave in your position.
When your protege reaches a high level position, they will have a chance to mentor someone.
If you behaved rudely towards them, chances are they will adopt the same "tough love" style of mentoring.
Cycles can be broken, but it takes a commitment to developing your leadership skills.
Try It Out - Not every leadership method is going to work immediately.
The mentor - mentee relationship will have some rocky moments.
But if you learn from the mistakes, chances are you will succeed in the long run.
Sometimes mentoring means spending a few minutes of your day going through someone's work, giving them positive encouragement when they do a good job, or explaining in depth where they went wrong.
Accountability - This process will only be successful if there is proper accountability.
For example, do not set targets for your employees that you do not meet yourself.
Do not establish rigorous conduct standards that you fall short of on a regular basis.
The best leaders show their employees how it is done.
If you are prepared to "walk the walk", the rest will take care of itself.
Coaching Accountability - If you are coaching in business, your job is more than just giving employees tasks on a weekly basis.
Coaches must check back with their coachees, discussing how the assignment is going.
If you tell someone to complete a task within two weeks, check with them on a daily basis about their progress.
This not only helps foster positive relationships, but will ensure they approach the work with the right mindset.
Some Things to Remember - Keep in mind that everyone you deal with is not the same.
Some people do not need constant support, while others need encouragement to keep their belief strong.
Understanding how you need to behave towards each employee is the key test in being a mentor.
The goal of any mentor/mentee or coach/coachee relationship is to foster success, both in the short and long term.
The methods are not always the same.
Sometimes, you need to be heavily involved with their work, showing them how it is done.
Other times, taking a back seat and letting your employees shine may be the best move.
There should be openness, honesty, and accountability on both sides.
In the same way that a younger employee is accountable to their mentor, the person mentoring must approach their position of power with responsibility.
Mentoring and Coaching - When coaching or mentoring in business, it is important to treat people with the respect they deserve.
Too many companies developed a culture where bullying and shouting was viewed as mentoring.
Bullying or intimidating lower level employees is not acceptable in leadership skills development.
Create an Atmosphere for Mentoring in Business - The best way a business leader can conduct coaching in business is to set up the right atmosphere.
By treating workers with respect, by collaborating with others on projects, encouraging teamwork, and praising those who succeed, leaders create a positive work environment.
Leadership Skills Development - Why is it that leadership, mentoring and coaching is emphasized in sports teams but not in businesses? If athletes require mentoring and coaching on a daily basis, is the same not true for employees? Yes, it is.
The best businesses foster an environment of mentoring and accountability.
Chain of Behavior - The way you mentor someone will have a profound impact on how they behave in your position.
When your protege reaches a high level position, they will have a chance to mentor someone.
If you behaved rudely towards them, chances are they will adopt the same "tough love" style of mentoring.
Cycles can be broken, but it takes a commitment to developing your leadership skills.
Try It Out - Not every leadership method is going to work immediately.
The mentor - mentee relationship will have some rocky moments.
But if you learn from the mistakes, chances are you will succeed in the long run.
Sometimes mentoring means spending a few minutes of your day going through someone's work, giving them positive encouragement when they do a good job, or explaining in depth where they went wrong.
Accountability - This process will only be successful if there is proper accountability.
For example, do not set targets for your employees that you do not meet yourself.
Do not establish rigorous conduct standards that you fall short of on a regular basis.
The best leaders show their employees how it is done.
If you are prepared to "walk the walk", the rest will take care of itself.
Coaching Accountability - If you are coaching in business, your job is more than just giving employees tasks on a weekly basis.
Coaches must check back with their coachees, discussing how the assignment is going.
If you tell someone to complete a task within two weeks, check with them on a daily basis about their progress.
This not only helps foster positive relationships, but will ensure they approach the work with the right mindset.
Some Things to Remember - Keep in mind that everyone you deal with is not the same.
Some people do not need constant support, while others need encouragement to keep their belief strong.
Understanding how you need to behave towards each employee is the key test in being a mentor.
The goal of any mentor/mentee or coach/coachee relationship is to foster success, both in the short and long term.
The methods are not always the same.
Sometimes, you need to be heavily involved with their work, showing them how it is done.
Other times, taking a back seat and letting your employees shine may be the best move.
