What is mentoring?

Mentoring: It is a personal and professional development process in which an experienced person (the mentor ) guides, advises and supports another less experienced or less experienced person (the mentee ) to help him or her achieve his or her goals, acquire new skills and advance in his or her career or personal development. Mentoring is based on a relationship of trust, where the mentor shares his or her experience, knowledge and wisdom to facilitate the growth of the mentee.

The mentor acts as a guide or advisor who helps the mentee learn from his or her experiences. It is not about formal teaching, but about offering practical advice and perspectives based on the knowledge and experience gained by the mentor throughout his or her career. Mentoring focuses on the long-term development of the mentee, whether in terms of professional skills, decision-making, performance improvement or personal growth. The mentor helps define goals, identify obstacles and offer solutions. It is a relationship based on mutual trust. The mentee should feel comfortable sharing his or her concerns, doubts and aspirations, while the mentor provides a safe and supportive space for the mentee's development.

Unlike a coaching relationship, which can be more one-off and specific, mentoring typically spans a long period of time. It can last for months or even years, and in some cases, the mentor and mentee continue their relationship informally after the formal process ends. While mentoring focuses on mentoring the mentee, it is not limited to passing on technical or industry-specific knowledge, but also involves sharing values , perspectives , and approaches on how to navigate complex or challenging situations in one's personal or professional life. Through the mentoring relationship, the mentee can develop soft skills such as leadership, decision-making, stress management, interpersonal skills, and developing self-confidence.

Although both processes are aimed at improving a person's performance and development, there are key differences between mentoring and coaching :

• Mentoring : It is a long-term relationship in which the mentor guides the mentee in his or her professional or personal development, based on the mentor's experience and knowledge.
• Coaching : This is a more structured process, focused on specific objectives or solving specific problems. The coach is not necessarily a more experienced person, but his or her role is to help the client discover his or her own answers through powerful questions and tools.

Mentoring promotes the professional development of the mentee by expanding their contacts, increasing their confidence and improving their skills and performance.