#howtomentor

As soon as I heard "most of the participants don't speak English," my mind began to race. How would I engage everyone when they couldn't understand me?  Would I need to dramatically change the workshop structure?  What would it be like to have interpreters there?  And so on.

I was a bit bewildered as to how I was going to deliver an effective, engaging leadership workshop for a US Department of State sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program with this constraint. 

Then, I had an aha moment -- I may be considered an "expert" when it comes to leadership development, but training a non-English speaking group was totally new to me; thus I was a beginner.  As soon as I took on that beginner's mindset, I relaxed and lots of ideas came to me.  

Whether you are new at mentoring or a seasoned mentor, sometimes shifting from the pressure of being the expert to being a beginner creates all sorts of new openings. 

The following beginner's mindset is just as relevant to mentors as it was to me in preparing for the leadership workshop:

These are talented leaders in their own right, who are here to learn and contribute -- build on their knowledge and passion.

Be okay with being a bit vulnerable and letting people know if something is new to you. Ask for feedback and support.

Better to say that you don't know or haven't had that experience than to be disingenuous. 

Last thought.  Remember how much fun it was to learn to ride a bike, do a magic trick or build a fort, as a kid?  You don't always have to be the expert to be a good mentor.  Have some fun being a beginner again.  You might learn something from your mentee!