Page 17 - 2019 March Voices
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finished Level 2 when I was invited to do
the Mentoring Path.
“Simple,” says I. “I’ll have this done in
no time.”
Nope!
When I read the next paragraph—the
first page in the Mentoring Program—I
realized I had no idea what a mentor
REALLY was, did, or said to their
mentee. Pathways blew my mind.
Remember, a mentor is a guide who
helps each protégé find their own way. Though
there may be opportunities to coach, or give mentees
specific instruction, your most important job is to I’ve had over
listen to your protégé, guide them to information the years who are still
and provide the support they need to reach their in Toastmasters. They
goals. deserved better.
It wasn’t about me! Literally, mentoring had The mentoring path became an unexpected
nothing to do with me. It is all about the protégé: learning opportunity for me. I was drawn to
helping them meet their goals, listening to them, Pathways because of the technology (blogs,
and supporting them! What I was doing was podcasts, social media) but I am learning
coaching—very bad coaching indeed! the most in unexpected areas: mentoring,
The Pathways Mentoring Program overhauled leadership, and communication styles.
not only my sense of what a mentor is, it also There is a big push to find workable,
significantly changed mentoring as a concept dynamic, and impactful mentorship programs
for me in Toastmasters. No longer can I breeze today. If you are looking for a mentor
through “mentoring” a new member’s first program—or simply want to be a better mentor
three speeches. Mentoring takes time and yourself—I strongly suggest that you take a
commitment. My first read through of the good, long look at the Pathways Mentoring
material showed me that I was not ready. I had Program. It is free to anyone who completes
to change my mindset to be an effective mentor. any Level 2. Also, it is full of useful, timely, and
Game on! actionable material to make you a much better
I worked each step of the project slowly (and mentor inside and outside of Toastmasters.
poorly since my old habits still came to the fore It has certainly helped me.
when mentoring). It took six months to complete
the Pathways Mentor Program—and I still have
more to learn. I’ve since apologized to the (few)
VOICES! | MARCH 2019 17
