Mentoring Circles and Resources

Overview: Audio mp3 - The Art of Mentoring & Book Review by Shirley Peddy, Ph.D.Mentor Circles

Mentor Circles is a program where people are placed in a small group of 5-10 participants for a 6 week session. This group consists of people from different career experience levels and functional groups, and is open to both men and women. The group meets one hour a week during a session of 6 weeks, and shares advice, insights and experiences on various topics relating to personal and professional development in an encouraging and nurturing environment. Everyone in the group is on equal standing, everyone is a mentor AND a mentee, and is free to give or receive advice and share insights.

What does a Mentor Circle meeting look like?

The Mentor Circle meeting typically meets in a conference room or coffee shop area of the campus and will typically be one hour, but may be longer depending on the group's agreement. Some groups may schedule structured meeting time and allow for networking time before or after meeting. The group meeting follows this structure as a guideline:

• • Begin with greeting time and review of goals (may be group and/or individual)

  • Discussion about the topic (article, audio, book or podcast)

  • End with sharing of one key takeaway from the session and next step toward SMART goal

Mentor Circle Format

Suggested 6-week format and articles - may be modified based on goals of the circle.

Set a Goal

• How to set SMART Goals

• Creating SMART Goals

1. Getting Started

   1. • Designing Organizations with Purposeful Agile

      • Reflections on Mentoring - Audio mp3 - The Art of Mentoring

      • Strategies to Succeed and Overcome Obstacles

      • Engage - 1:1 Meetings Guide

2. Branding and Strengths

   1. • Know Your Strengths, Own Your Strengths - No One Else Will

      • Decoding Leadership Traits

      • Be an Opportunity Maker

3. Confidence to Transform

   1. • The Confidence Gap, The Atlantic article

      • Women Transforming Corporate Culture

      • Caution: Office Housework

      • Book - The Athena Doctrine or Tedx Talk - The Athena Doctrine

4. Leadership Tools and Smart Balance

   1. • Engage - Conducting 1:1 Meetings

      • Constructive Coaching

      • Balance - Lessons from Downtime

5. Equity Issues & Career Challenges

   1. • Women that Build Software

      • App Needed for Gender Equality

      • Why downtime is important

      • Negotiation Insights

6. Goals Reflection & Retrospective - Celebration and Next Steps

   1. • Agile: Reflective Practice and Application

      • Reflective Practice in Agile SW Development

      • YourCoach to setting SMART Goals

      • Creative Closure Activity Ideas