Interview-e: Julie Starr, author of the Mentoring Manual, interviewed by Alexis Hutson of the FMLM coaching network

For this installment of the FMLM Bookclub Interview-e series, Alexis Hutson of the FMLM coaching network talked with Julie Starr, author of The Mentoring Manual. Alexis also reviewed this for the Bookclunb in January 2015.

What was your intention in writing this book?

I wanted to write a book about mentoring that focused on the relationship and behaviours involved, as there seemed to be a gap in the market. I wanted to write about the purpose and intention for the mentor and how this translates to appropriate assistance for the mentee. Getting back to basics and the principle of empowerment seemed important.

Do you think mentoring still has a role to play?

I’m not sure we have fully harnessed the potential of mentoring. We seem to understand the benefits of managing, coaching and training but less so mentoring. Although organisations are willing to invest up front in matching people and preparing them for the programme, there is less effort in inquiring what is happening, how are things working and what people are gaining from the experience. It still seems to be overlooked as a powerful enabler for fostering talent.

Why do you think doctors might make great mentors?

Doctors are empathetic in their patient facing conversations. Transferring this to a mentoring relationship is a powerful tool but takes time and effort to get the balance right, and to learn how to judge what is needed when by the mentee.

The challenge for the NHS is to enable people to be themselves. The demands of being a mentor require you to ‘make yourself available as a person’. This means sharing experiences, feelings and thoughts that you might not typically do in a professional relationship. However this ‘availability’ is an important part of the trust that needs to be fostered between the mentor and mentee, but also the trust you need in yourself as a mentor.

What do you think is the hardest lesson to learn for a new mentor?

Building self-trust. You need to trust that your purpose of intention is right. When waters get choppy and you feel uncertain about uncharted territory, reminding yourself why you do this is crucial. Good listening is a combination of attention and intention.

For the book review Click Here

Alexis Hutson is an indépendant coach and mentor working with Doctors to develop their leadership and management skills and is a part of the FMLM Coach Network.