Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris

1 anno fa · 2 min. di lettura · ~100 ·

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The Different Kinds of Mentees Out There

The Different Kinds of Mentees Out There

This is a stock image for the term “mentee” and doesn't correspond to the taxonomy described in this article
This is a stock image for the term “mentee” and doesn't correspond to the taxonomy described in this article

 

Here is a simple taxonomy of the mentees someone is bound to encounter as a mentor. This taxonomy is not by any means comprehensive but fun to ponder upon and a productive way to deal with the frustration of the more challenging mentees. Additionally, any similarities with the Star Wars franchise are entirely coincidental.

 

1. The lord. This is a very interesting category as it's also entertaining (if you see it with a sense of humor). That guy (the lord type is more often than not male) pretends he is a member of royalty and expects you to do all the work. In the case he's paying for the mentorship, the situation is even worse. Fortunately, it's not too common a type since people of this mentality tend to be less likely to seek a mentor. Naturally, no mentor in his right mind would want to have such a person as a mentee, though sometimes his lordship conceals his true colors until the mentorship has already started.

 

2. The one impossible-to-commit. This kind of mentee is also an interesting case, though less entertaining. Such a person is happy to do an intro session with you but is unlikely to continue. Sometimes even the intro session may be too hard because it entails showing up, which is particularly challenging for that person (sometimes impossible). In some cases, that person is courteous enough to let you know in advance that they are not coming and they reschedule the session. It's hard to imagine how that person would ever get a job, but that issue isn't usually discussed since most of the time is spent figuring out the logistics of the mentorship.

 

3. The c(h)ancelor. If canceling sessions was an Olympic sport, this person would have won gold medals! This type of mentee is a bit like the previous category but doesn't even bother rescheduling. Most likely, that person plays the numbers and seeks help from several mentors simultaneously, leaving one or more of them hanging after he gets what he needs. Since some platforms have consequences for not showing up, he cancels the session beforehand, usually without saying why. Naturally, this kind of mentee is better suited for a career in government since lack of accountability isn't a problem in that sector.

 

4. The indifferent one. This mentee type is the one who doesn't want to be there but feels that he has to. Sometimes mentoring is part of a course he's taking, a kind of obligation or something. In any case, the lack of interest, ambition, and everything that would make mentoring meaningful for a mentee is utterly absent in that individual. He does show up, however, even if he rarely has any questions prepared or any specific goals for the mentorship. It's not too bad, though, when it's a paid mentorship! Sometimes, with a lot of work from the mentor, this person can change into someone who is somewhat interested, or at least curious, about the subject of the mentorship.

 

5. The learner (apprentice). This is the most promising category and the one that characterizes the majority of mentees I've worked with over the years (including the current ones). Regardless of whether this mentee is paying or not, he always makes an effort and takes advantage of the time with the mentor. There are always questions flowing, specific objectives, and often particular problems that are discussed. This mentee type is every mentor's delight as it makes mentoring organic and fulfilling for both parties. Naturally, this person learns what they set out to learn and sometimes even more since the mentor is motivated to go the extra mile.

 

This taxonomy is designed for entertainment only, especially for those who play the mentor role as part of their job. Please do not use this taxonomy at work, especially in organizations encouraging mentorships. Chances are that things aren't so bad there after all! Cheers.

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Commenti

Jerry Fletcher

1 anno fa #4

Zacharias,  You have much greater patience than me! 🤨

Greg Rolfe

1 anno fa #1

I have not encountered all the Mentees on your list but I have had a few that seem to touch on a couple.  The mentee I have found to be the most frustrating is eager to start and loves the content but has no carry-through.  They show up on time and some even take notes but getting them to actually “do” is all but impossible.  At least the no-shows don't raise your hopes that you have been blessed with an apprentice.  

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