The Mentoring Pocketbook (Management Pocketbook Series) [Paperback]

Geof Alred (Author), Bob Garvey (Author), Richard Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Management Pocketbook Series | Publication Date: April 1, 2000

How to prepare to be a mentor, to conduct mentoring sessions, and to maintain the relationship through the different stages. Primarily aimed at the mentor, although helpful to mentees as well.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book states on the cover that it is "a pocketful of proven tips, tools, and techniques for mentors and mentees to maximize the benefits of this powerful development process". Not only does it deliver its cover promise, but it does so in the most succinct fashion without missing any key details. This is an excellent book for experts or beginners as well as mentors and those seeking a mentor. Its formatting makes it easy and quick to read while at the same time providing readily useable ideas, activities, and concepts. The authors pay great attention to successful mentoring relationships, including the various roles, necessary qualities, and developmental stages, and they include an issues and questions section that covers not only concerns common to both mentors and partners, but also challenges faced by program coordinators. The authors place mentoring within the context of learning and show the reader how to use a simple process to make progress in any mentoring relationship. This book can be carried in a pocket and the authors have wisely included some blank pages for notes." -- Top Books in Mentoring, www.mentors.ca

About the Author

Bob Garvey is Principal Lecturer and leader of the Mentoring and Coaching Research Unit at Sheffield Hallam University.

Richard Smith has written extensively on morality and education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Management Pocket Books; 1st edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579220061
• ISBN-13: 978-1579220068
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 4.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,614,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > Human Resources & Personnel Management

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Pocketful of Practical Tips, April 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mentoring Pocketbook (Management Pocketbook Series) (Paperback)

This book gives practical strategies for starting and maintaining mentor partnerships in organizations. Written for the business community, these techniques can be used in any setting. A small pocket-sized book, just right for lunch or the train ride home, it's a quick read with humorous illustrations and applicable quotes. Most notably is the three stage model for guiding the mentor through the mentoring process. A process that includes exploring the relationship, reaching new understandings and action planning. Each stage is described and the authors give strategies and methods for working within the stages. In addition, each stage has suggested comments and questions the mentor might say when communicating with the mentee. The authors suggest that the mentor use this model for reflection and planning.

The book falls short in many ways. It does not emphasize the important distinctions between mentoring and managing. More coverage should have been given to this topic since managers/supervisors/coaches are more likely the audience for this book. Also, it glazes over the very practical issue of time by estimating that mentors spend 2-3 hours a month mentoring. The authors do not say what this figure is based upon. Lastly, it does not adequately address the importance of the reciprocity in mentoring partnerships. This book is meant for mentor and mentees, but the mentee's role as guider is downplayed.

Coming up with the right thing to say has always been a challenge for me. I like that this little book actually gives a handful of sample questions and comments I can use. Also, the author gives some good tips for both the mentor and the mentee in the process. An added bonus is the issues and questions section in the back of the book, followed by some blank pages for note-taking.