Developing Under the Guidance of a Mentor: Five Strategies for Coaches

Mentoring is the act of guiding another person, and developing under the guidance of a mentor, as a mentee, is a common method for aspiring coaches to learn how to coach. An established and effective coach will frequently state that the best learning experiences as a coach occurred under the supervision of a mentor. The beginning of a mentor-mentee relationship can occur informally, by chance, or more formally through a structured program. Regardless of how an aspiring coach initially connects with a potential mentor, there are specific steps a mentee can take to enhance the experience with a mentor. The purpose of this article is to provide the mentee with five strategies for taking an active role in developing as a coach under the guidance of a mentor: 1) identify potential mentors, 2) connect with potential mentors, 3) cultivate the relationship, 4) communicate to enhance the relationship, and 5) take ownership of the experience