Types of Workplace Mentoring Programs

When we think of mentoring programs, the traditional one-on-one relationship between a seasoned leader and an employee comes to mind. While this is a popular type of program, mentoring comes in various forms and can be customized to fit the needs of your organization. Here are some of them –

Career Mentoring Program 

This is the most common type of mentoring program that typically involves a senior executive and a more junior employee, with the goal of supporting the mentee with their professional development to further their career. This is a great option for organizations that want to dip their toes into the mentoring for the first time.

New Manager Mentoring Program 

Mentoring can be beneficial to anyone in an organization, but they can be especially relevant for new managers. Mentoring can help first-time leaders to develop the skills needed to thrive in their roles. The steep learning curve of leading can be overwhelming for those new to the role, but the support of a mentor can make the transition a bit easier.

High Potential Employee Mentoring Program

Most organizations recognize the value of their high potential employees, but many don’t provide them with the support and growth opportunities they need to be successful. To capitalize on these individuals, a mentoring program specifically designed for them can be beneficial to the organization.

Informal Mentoring Program

This type of mentoring leverages the connection between the two individuals. It may look and feel like a friendship, where both parties engage in a casual manner because of the the organic connection. Also, since the relationship is mutually agreed upon, activities such as counseling or role modeling can occur more often.

Reverse Mentoring Program

As the name implies, reverse mentoring is when a more seasoned executive is paired with a younger employee. Reverse mentoring is a great way to break through barriers and have employees across all age groups and seniority levels work with each other, rather than against.

What type of mentoring program do you want to establish? By knowing about these different types, organizations can create a great mentoring program with a significant return on investment. Whatever the type of mentoring you might need, make sure your mentors are vetted, experienced, and continuously evaluated.