What Are The Different Types of Mentoring?

We all need someone to guide us and support us on our professional journeys, and mentoring is a great way to grow personally and professionally. There are lots of different types of mentoring, which all allow you to make a positive mark on the world and leave a positive legacy. By giving people the guidance and help they need, you help start a cycle of learning, growth and development that goes beyond your direct influence.

Let’s explore the various types of mentoring, and the different types of mentors and mentoring styles. If mentoring is something you’re interested in, stick around. There’s so much to learn.

The 4 Main Types of Mentoring

There are many different mentoring types, but there are 4 main categories you’re likely to come across. As you read through this list, think about what type you lean towards and which best suits your skillset and personality.

1. Peer Mentoring

Peer mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship where mentors and mentees who have similar backgrounds and experiences can gain valuable insights and knowledge from each other. Peer mentors are like superheroes who can offer you emotional support, practical guidance and motivation to help you conquer any challenges that come your way.

2. Traditional Mentoring

Traditional mentoring (also known as one-to-one mentoring) is the classic type of mentoring where a more experienced person guides someone who is less experienced. The mentor takes on a leadership role and the mentee looks up to them for direction.

3. Reverse Mentoring

Now this is an interesting one. Here, someone less experienced mentors someone more experienced. Imagine being the one teaching your boss a thing or two. Reverse mentoring works especially well for tech-related skill sharing. When you were younger and teaching your parents how to set the video tape to record, you were being a reverse mentor.

If an older person is trying to map out a marketing strategy on Instagram or TikTok, they’re better off collaborating with Gen Z. This type of mentoring is great for encouraging intergenerational relationships.

4. Leadership Mentoring

Leadership mentors are leaders who’ve been through it all. They’ve faced challenges, made tough decisions and have learnt a few lessons along the way. If this sounds like you, why don’t you give leadership mentoring a try? Getting a leadership mentor is the best way for aspiring leaders to realise their dream.

What Are The 5 Different Types of Mentors?

There are many types of mentors, but we’re highlighting just a handful. Knowing which one you are can help you get more out of your mentoring experiences.

1. The Cheerleader

If motivating and being the ultimate hype person is your thing, then you’re probably the cheerleader type of mentor. You’re the kind of person who loves inspiring others and giving them positive encouragement and that’s really amazing.
This is often the style most people prefer because it helps the mentee have someone to lean on, even on bad days.

2. The Search Engine

Do people come to you when they need to find answers? Do you enjoy seeking out information and understanding how to find the right resource? That makes you the search engine type of mentor; you embark on the discovery journey alongside your mentee, teaching them how to be just as resourceful.

3. The Companion

Sometimes, what a mentee needs is someone who was in their shoes not too long ago. That’s where the companion mentor comes in. As someone who is relatively close in age and experience, your job is to be a strong role model and guide. You understand the challenges they face because you’ve been there yourself.

4. The Advocate

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys reaching out to people within your network, then you’re the advocate mentor. You love networking and expanding your mentee’s community and you leverage your connections to help their professional development. By introducing mentees to the big guns in your network, you open doors for new opportunities.

5. The Master

This type of mentor has a wealth of knowledge and experience that they’re eager to share. If this is you, you’ll enjoy teaching, breaking down and explaining concepts. Being a master mentor is your chance to leave a lasting impact on people.

The 7 Mentoring Styles

Mentoring styles can vary based on the mentor’s approach, communication style and the goals of the mentoring relationship. Some types of mentoring may be better than others for hitting certain goals. Go through the list and pick the ones that suit you.

1. One-To-One Mentoring

One-to-one mentoring is the most traditional mentoring style. The mentor and the mentee enter a mentoring relationship where the mentor guides and supports the mentee, helping them level up to reach their goals. More often the longer term commitment for both parties.

2. Group Mentoring

Group mentoring is an approach that’s used when you’ve got a group of mentees. This mentoring style helps you maximise impact and get stuff done efficiently. One of the sweet perks of group mentoring is the power of teamwork. Mentees can support and learn from each other, bounce ideas around and share their experiences. Group mentoring is used most often to overcome shared issues and challenges within a team.

3. Virtual Mentoring

This is common these days and for good reason. It’s like regular one-on-one mentoring but without the hassle of location restrictions. You can say goodbye to distance and hello to convenience. In this mentoring style, the principles remain the same except you get to connect with your mentor or mentee from anywhere in the world.

Companies are jumping on the virtual mentoring bandwagon, especially with the rise of remote and hybrid work. This mentoring style is a game-changer that allows mentoring to thrive even when you can’t be physically together.

4. Team Mentoring

This style of mentoring is similar to group mentoring, except more mentors are invited to the party. This type of mentoring work is great because it encourages diversity and creates a mix of viewpoints.

Team mentoring makes the learning experience of the mentees even better; they get to hear different voices, listen to various perspectives and have an enjoyable time learning.
Can be used especially well in place of a sit down classroom type of learning.

5. Informal Mentoring

Having a mentor doesn’t always mean things have to get all official and structured. Sometimes, it’s just a natural flow, like a friendship that blossoms over time. In an informal mentorship, advice and guidance are sought and given very casually, especially in the beginning.

Informal mentors can be anyone from your friends and family members to your colleagues. These relationships tend to evolve naturally and you find yourself seeking guidance from people who have walked the path you’re on.

6. Formal Mentoring

If you’re more into structure and clear paths, then formal mentoring is more likely to be your thing. Formal mentoring is usually used in companies that understand the importance of passing down knowledge and skills to safeguard the business’ future. In formal mentoring, goals are set, progress is measured, and you’re on a concrete path to success. Any of the types of mentoring highlighted above can be formalised.

7. Flash Mentoring

Flash mentoring is just as it sounds – mentoring in a flash. These are quick mentoring sessions that you can have without the pressure to develop a long-term relationship. You can also use it side by side with other types of mentoring, such as group mentoring. Best used when someone has an immediate need for specific mentoring. For instance – to prep for a job interview.

How Are The Different Types of Mentoring Used?

Mentoring can be applied in different settings and situations, including:

Career Development

Mentors are like career superheroes, swooping in to provide invaluable advice, share their wealth of experience and steer their mentees through the twists and turns of professional life. They’re the ultimate sidekick, helping their protégés navigate career choices, set ambitious goals, develop new skills and discover exciting new opportunities.

Leadership Development

Mentors can also act as guiding lights, illuminating the path to success. By providing guidance and support, mentors help mentees unlock their full potential and become effective leaders. Through this process, mentees gain the confidence they need to tackle new challenges and broaden their professional networks.

Entrepreneurship Growth

If you’re an entrepreneur or an aspiring entrepreneur, you need to know that mentoring can be a game-changer for your success. Entrepreneurship mentors are invaluable resources for aspiring business owners, as they can help their mentees through the ups and downs of starting and running a successful business. They’ll help you not make the same mistakes they did.

Join the Career Navig8r Community to Become a Mentor

It doesn’t matter which of the 5 mentor types you identify with, Career Navig8r is the platform you can use your unique skills on.
You just need to:

• Register as a mentor (link at the end)
• Fill out your profile so mentees can find you
• List the job roles you can mentor
• Add your prices
• Start mentoring

Start mentoring today.