“Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” — John Crosby
Traditionally, mentorships have been defined as long-term partnerships where the seniored party serves as an advisor to the novice, in hopes of advancing their career. The benefits of great mentorship are invaluable, which is clearly illustrated by the wide popularity of such partnerships in companies and career fields all across the world. However, traditional mentorship isn’t the only option.
With the rise of millennial workers came a remix of the mentorships of old. Consequently, micro-mentorships were born. “Micro”, meaning short or small. “Mentorship”, still holding true to its conventional meaning, but applied in a much less formal way. Instead of broad, lifelong mentor/mentee commitments, these discipline specific, or project-based, mentorships hone in on one distinct task and conclude when said project is complete.
Here are three reasons why project-based mentorship may be your best bet:
Less Commitment
Mentors give their time, attention and guidance for free. Although noble, mentorship is a largely sacrificial undertaking that benefits the mentee much more than it serves the mentor. For some, the demand is too great. This is one area where project-based mentorship becomes more enticing. Instead of asking a successful business leader to commit to a career-long partnership, you can ask whether they’d agree to advise you for the short-term. Trade in weekly face-to-face progress reports for email exchanges that address detailed questions. If your prospective mentor is still hesitant, you can propose a brief, one-time meeting to ask all your questions at once. Because the commitment level is much lower than a typical mentorship, your offer is much more likely to be accepted, even by the busiest of mentors.
Clear Purpose
Project-based mentorships have the benefit of starting with a very clear purpose. Thus, the elements that make mentorships impactful are easier to accomplish. When you know your desired outcome, you are better able to create appropriate timelines, measure progress and ask targeted questions. Your advisor will also feel more equipped to provide expertise that directly aligns with your needs. Because your goals are explicitly stated, the tailored advice you receive will be immediately applicable. Project-based mentorship helps both parties use their time effectively by cutting straight to the chase.
Limited Possibility of Worst Case Scenarios
Lastly, micro-mentorship limits the longevity of “worst case scenarios”. Unfortunately, interpersonal relationships don’t always go as planned. Mismatched personalities, moral differences and broken boundaries can cause a mentorship to sour. Then, to add stress to an already delicate situation, choosing the proper exit strategy can be tricky.
While short-term mentorships don’t completely absolve the possibility of negative outcomes, they do minimize the amount of time you have to endure. Additionally, project-based mentorships are less formal, granting you the freedom to end partnerships early without as much recourse. Because the mentorship was only meant to last for the duration of your project, you have the right to politely inform your mentor that you’ve received all the help you needed in order to finish successfully. Conclude by expressing your appreciation for your mentor’s contributions and move on.
“If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
— Isaac Newton
Mentorship was the foundation for countless greats of the past and will serve the same purpose for the change makers to come. While project-based mentorship has taken a different shape than its preceding model, it is equally effective. If you are in the market for a mentor, but have short-term needs, use these three benefits to help you decide whether project-based mentorship is your best bet.
