Mentoring is the concept of an experienced person encouraging and teaching a less-experienced person. Typically, mentoring is a ongoing relationship between two individuals.
The concept of mentoring has been around a long time. Mentors have been recorded as far back as ancient Greece, although the practice is probably much older.
The Internet has taken mentoring to a whole new level.
If I were asked whether or not I had a mentor, I would have to say "yes" and "no."
I'd say "yes," because there are many individuals online whose willingness to share information and provide advice has taught me much. Some individuals have even been willing to provide advice and encouragement by e-mail. I often refer to these supportive individuals as my mentors.
On the other hand, I don't have anyone playing the one-on-one traditional mentoring role. No one monitors the minute details of my career and weighs in on every decision that I make. I have not even met most of my online advisors face-to-face.
No doubt that my lack of a formal mentor now is partly because I work from home. When I was in the corporate world, there were formal mentoring programs available.
For those who have been fortunate enough to have a one-on-one mentoring relationship, mentoring has often meant that they've been able to avoid typical business pitfalls.
That's why, when I read this post at Marketing Pilgrim about a new site, iMantri, that combines social networking with mentoring, I was intrigued.
According to the site's own About page, "iMantri is a venue for matching mentors and mentees..."
Could this be a mentoring solution for those of us who work at home?
Truthfully, I'm not sure. Those of us who work at home tend to be an independent breed.
It seems that ordinary social networking already provides a means for people to meet and possibly mentor each other, although that is not its main focus. In fact, the opportunity to share what I've learned is one of the things that draws me to blogging.
Of course the creators of iMantri aren't necessarily targeting home workers. It's definitely something to watch.
What about you? Do you have a mentor? Tell us about it.
Leave us a comment and let us know.
I know what you mean about mentoring on the net. I think sometimes it's more like we find mentors that don't even know we're using them as a kind of role model. I agree that also that when we find useful info, it's just natural we are going to keep up with what they are doing to further educate ourselves.
By the way this site really looks like you've got things together and working for you, good luck!
Posted by: Kathleen | January 19, 2008 12:10 PM | Permalink to Comment