Concerned about mentoring? Facing the fears

Embarking on the journey of mentorship can be both exciting and daunting. While the idea of guiding and supporting others in their professional growth is appealing, it’s common to harbour concerns or hesitations along the way. 

In this article, we address some of the most prevalent concerns people have about mentoring and provide reassuring responses to why those concerns shouldn’t hold you back.

Fear of Inadequacy:

Some individuals may feel that they lack the necessary knowledge, experience, or skills to be effective mentors. Welcome imposter syndrome! 

Don’t worry! Everyone has something valuable to offer, regardless of their level of expertise. Focus on sharing your unique insights, experiences, and perspectives, rather than trying to be a “perfect” mentor. WIBF provides a mentors guide and holds regular regional mentoring workshops and events. You can also contact us at any point if you need advice or guidance.  

It’s also worth remembering, it’s often much easier to work through and advise on other people’s problems than your own!

Lack of Time:

Many people believe they don’t have enough time to commit to mentoring due to busy schedules and other obligations.

Don’t worry! At WIBF we only ask that you commit to one hour per month for a six month period. It’s entirely up to you and your mentor if you want to meet more often, but our mentees are only expecting one hour a month of your time. 

You have full flexibility to set your meeting times that work for you, the mentor and the mentee. WIBF won’t ask you to be available at any specific times. You don’t have to meet in person, mentoring sessions can be held online via Zoom or other platforms or on the telephone. 

Uncertainty About Impact:

You may question whether your effort as mentors will truly make a difference in the professional development of your mentee.

Don’t worry! Read some of our success stories! Our Mentor of the month stories will hopefully illustrate the positive impact of mentorship. The transformative power of mentorship in helping individuals achieve their goals, overcome challenges, and unlock their full potential. Focus on building meaningful relationships with your mentees and celebrate the small victories along the way.

What if I don’t get on with my mentee?

Fear of failure is always a concern on any new journey we embark on, so being worried about the mentoring relationship not working or a lack of rapport with the person we have been connected to is a real one.

Don’t worry! Firstly, give it time. Either of you may have started your relationship on a bad day or on the wrong foot. Not all great relationships start with an immediate spark and may take time. The mentee should have a clear idea about what they want to achieve from the mentoring relationship. This is a good place to start with working out the common ground and giving the sessions a focus. However, If you don’t feel that the match is giving you what you need, please get in touch with WIBF’s mentoring team.

Embarking on the journey of mentorship with WIBF can indeed be both exciting and daunting. While it’s natural to have concerns about time commitments, feeling inadequate, or uncertain about the impact you can make, we’re here to reassure you that these concerns shouldn’t hold you back. 

Our Mentoring Programme is designed with flexibility in mind, requiring just one hour per month for a six-month period, with options for additional meetings as desired. Remember, your unique insights and experiences are valuable, and our resources and support are always available to help you grow as a mentor. 

Through mentorship, you have the opportunity to make a real difference in someone’s professional development, and even if challenges arise, our team is here to support you every step of the way. So, join the mentoring programme here at WIBF, download our guide, and let’s embark on this rewarding journey together!