DC Phi Beta Kappa Mentorship Network May/June Newsletter

The DC Area Phi Beta Kappa Association

MENTORSHIP NETWORK MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome.......................1 Mentorship Matters.....2 Talk About....................3 Upcoming Events.........4 Mentorship Network Spotlight...................4

Salutations, Mentorship Network Members!

Now that you’ve developed a relationship with your mentorship partner, your methods of communication may be evolving (or warrant it). Check out our Mentorship Matters article this week to learn about the four communication styles in a mentorship. Our “Talk About” section is back this month with even more stimulating conversation starters!

You should have received an email with a link to fill out our mid-program survey.

If you haven’t done so already, please do! It should only take 5-10 minutes and is vital in helping us develop and improve the program. We’re excited to hear about your experience thus far! Also be on the lookout for a save-the-date announcement soon about our MentorMix event coming up in July. This event will give you an excellent opportunity to meet other folks in the program for networking and fellowship!

As always, if you ever have any suggestions on how to improve our newsletters or any other comments about the program, please feel free to reach out to us at mentorship@dcpbk.org.

“We rise by lifting others.”

Stay dry out there!

Sarah Neely Program Manager

Cheyenne Michaels Events & Communications Coordinator

— Robert Ingersoll Photo by Phil Roeder on Flickr (http://bit.ly/1qnkNPe)

1

DCPBK Mentorship Network Monthly Newsletter | May/June 2016

MENTORSHIP MATTERS Each month, we highlight an article that you may find interesting or helpful in your mentorship journey.

Communicating in Style Excerpted from “Communicating in Style: Corporate Mentoring Tips” from ManagementMentors.com.

Most of us use different styles of communication. We’ll communicate differently with our kids than we would with our employers. Often, our communication style depends upon the situation itself—what style will work best under these circumstances? The same holds true in mentoring relationships. Understanding different communication styles (and when to use them) will make for a more effective and enjoyable relationship. Below, we address four styles—what they are, when to use them, and things to keep in mind.

1. DIRECTED STYLE: “I have expertise in this area and will give you what

you need to know to be successful.”

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.”

The Directed Style is most effective at the start of the mentoring relationship when both the mentoree and the relationship itself require strong direction. It’s also useful and appropriate to use whenever the mentoree ventures into a new area of accomplishment. In the Directed Style, communication tends to be one sided, with the mentor “directing” the mentoree by doing one or more of the following: • • • •

sharing personal experience prescribing a method for success accessing other resources for the mentoree providing a step-by-step approach

A word of caution: Mentors who overuse this style will tend to dominate the conversation and stifle the mentoree’s participation. Likewise, mentorees who overly prefer this style may develop a dependency on the mentor and avoid taking risks.

2. CO-DIRECTED STYLE: “I have the most expertise in this area, and

you may have some as well, but you still need my guidance to further develop your competency in this area.”

The Co-Directed Style is more of a dialogue, with the mentor still dominating the exchange of information but allowing for questions and input

— Jack Welch 2

DCPBK Mentorship Network Monthly Newsletter | May/June 2016

TALK ABOUT...

Stuck on what to talk to your mentor/mentee about? We’re here to help with these monthly discussion questions!

Did you ever take a break from doing something you love?

What impact did it have on your life?

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?

How do you get your news?

What work went into reaching your most difficult goals?

Have a suggestion for a discussion question?

Let us know!

from the mentoree. The mentor uses more persuasion and reasoning than direction but is still the dominant presence in the relationship.

If the relationship is dominated too long by this style, conflict could occur as the mentoree attempts to assume a more active role in the relationship.

Use the Co-Directed Style when the mentoree has some experience or knowledge of the issue or when the mentoree is at a point to take some developmental risks and can benefit from guidance.

A word of caution: Mentors who are overly persuasive may curtail the mentoree’s development toward independent thinking. Likewise, mentorees who overly prefer this style may avoid contradicting the mentor and thus not engage in honest dialogue that would lead to greater independence.

3. CONSULTING STYLE: “Let’s work on this together and come to

joint solutions since two heads are better than one and since we both have expertise in this area.”

The Consulting Style is most effective when the mentoree has achieved knowledge/expertise in the focus area. As the mentoree becomes more independent, the partnership becomes more of a dialogue between peers, reflected by a strong sense of collaboration and consensus building. The prime mover in the discussion switches back and forth between the mentor and the mentoree. Once the teacher and guiding force in the relationship, the mentor’s primary role now is to encourage and support the mentoree.

A word of caution: Mentors may be too eager to use this style prior to the mentoree being ready. This is especially true in an environment that fosters team building. Likewise, mentorees may expect to begin here and therefore resist assuming a more passive role warranted by a lack of experience in the area at hand.

4. SELF-DIRECTED STYLE: “You have the ability to do this; I’m here if

you need me.”

“The biggest impact that my mentors have made in my life is that I know I am not alone on this journey.”

The Self-Directed Style is most appropriate in the latter stages of the mentoring relationship when the mentoree has gained sufficient knowledge and mastery of the subject. Moving to this style is a key indicator that the mentoring relationship has achieved its purpose and the mentoree is ready to move on to another area of mastery or that it’s time to end the relationship.

A word of caution: Mentors may move too early or quickly to this style, expecting all initiative to come from the mentorees. Likewise, mentorees may already believe they’re at this point and disregard the mentors’ input.

The more aware you are of where you’re at in the relationship and what communication style is best, the more effective your mentorship will be.

— Marisol González 3

DCPBK Mentorship Network Monthly Newsletter | May/June 2016

MENTORSHIP SPOTLIGHT Find out how other mentorship pairs are doing and find inspiration for your next meeting!

UPCOMING EVENTS Here, we share updates on official Mentorship Network events as well as events that mentor pairs may enjoy together.

Piazza D’amore Shakespeare Theatre Co.’s Sidney Harman Hall May 17 - June 26 Times vary | Free!

Designed to look like the open-air markets of Padua and curated to appeal to savvy, contemporary shoppers, the Piazza d’Amore will take over the Harman lobbies to exhibit and sell handmade goods, packaged foodstuff, fine clothing and gift items. Click here for more info.

Luce Artist Talk with Anne Bouie American Art Museum Saturday, June 25 1:30 – 3:30 PM | Free!

Luce Artist Talks is a monthly series produced in partnership with CulturalDC’s Flashpoint Gallery. Each month, the exhibiting artist atFlashpoint Gallery comes to the Luce Foundation Center for American Art to discuss where their art falls in the progression of art history. Click here for more info.

Keep your eyes peeled for updates about our MentorMix event coming in July 2016.

4

Barbara Couture

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor, 1970 Current Career: Retired university professor and administrator Academic Interest: English Language and Literature What has been the greatest benefit so far of your mentorship pairing? Emily and I have met three times and plan to meet at least once a month. We have talked about career plans, hobbies (music for both of us!), and her interest in future degree programs. Travel has also been a big topic; Emily has done interesting work in several parts of the world, as have I. Since we both have been teachers and Emily still has an interest in working with students, particularly to enhance opportunities for international education, we have talked quite a bit about this mutual interest.

I have very much enjoyed meeting and talking with her—she is a very interesting, smart, and dedicated mentee!

Emily Hall

Washington College, 2014 Current Career: International Education

Emily and Barbara at Lincoln’s Waffle Shop. Photo courtesy Barbara Couture.

Academic Interest: Education, Human Rights, Anthropology What has been the greatest benefit so far of your mentorship pairing? Barbara has been an incredible mentor. We have bonded over stories about traveling, teaching, and seeking the balance between worklife and creative-life. Through insightful conversations, Barbara has helped me narrow down the trajectory of my career goals and graduate school plans. I am grateful for the time that Barbara has shared with me, and highly recommend the PBK Mentorship Program!

We want to shine the spotlight on you!

Email chey520@gmail.com if you and your mentor pair would like to share your story with the DCPBK Mentorship Network.

DCPBK Mentorship Network Monthly Newsletter | May/June 2016