Accountability & Growth

An exploration in domain-specific mutual mentorship

Evan Dana 2/1/2016

High Level > Origination > Structure > Evolution > Conclusion

Purpose: Inspire through story
Objective: Explain program and its progress
Approach: 
Next Steps: Use this deck to stay motivated!

High Level Description

NOT "official"

How it differs from "offical"

• Format control
• Increased domain relevance
• 100% mentor-pairing control

Search your email for "Mentorship" to learn more about the official program

Basics

• Independently pursued
• 1:1, dual mentorship
• Domain matching
• Guidance
• Goal setting
• Periodic and accountable reviews

more details in following sections...

Who is it for?

• Anyone who wants to own their own growth
• Motivated individuals who want guidance and accountability

Origination

• I have a growing list of things I'd like to learn, but haven't learned them yet!
   
• Accountability helped with workout attendance, so let's try it here
   
• Who do I know that is available and can guide me in my goals?

Impediments to Self-Learning

• Decreased motivation from lack of prioritization
   
• Decreased motivation from dead ends
   
• No deliverables

What gives job satisfaction?

• Achievement
• Recognition
• Responsibility
• Growth

"Why Employees Stay" Harvard Business Review, https://hbr.org/1973/07/why-employees-stay/sb1

sidenote

The Structure

• Selecting a Mentor/Mentee
• Guidance
• Goal setting
• Periodic and accountable reviews

Selecting a Mentor/Mentee

Strengths

YOU

PARTNER

MENTOR

MENTEE

Growth goal areas

Strengths

Growth goal areas

Guided Learning

• Long term goal planning
• Short term goal planning
• Context setting
• Choosing a relevant focus
• Achievable tasks
• Realistic tasks
• Specific tasks
• Time-bounding

Mentorship program aims to help the mentee with...

"SMART Goals" HR at MIT, http://hrweb.mit.edu/performance-development/goal-setting-developmental-planning/smart-goals

Accountability

• Reviewing completed tasks
• Measuring task completion

Mentorship program aims to help the mentee with...

Resources and Connections

• Recommendations for books, blogs, conferences, etc...
• Introductions to co-workers and other professionals

Mentorship program aims to help the mentee with...

Initial Meeting

• 60 minutes
• Discuss and agree on
  • Broad structure
  • Approach
  • Commitment level
  • Domain compatibility

Mentorship program schedule

Meeting 1 (odd weeks)

• 30 minutes (15 min each)
• Ensure progress and motivation
• Resolve road blocks

Mentorship program schedule

Meeting 2 (alternating weeks)

• 90 minutes
• Review task completion (30 min each)
  • Review and record if commitment was achieved
  • Record major learnings from tasks or process
• Devise plan for next 2 weeks (15 min each)
  • Record commitments and measurements

Mentorship program schedule

Meet outside the office!

• Encourage out-of-the-box  thinking
• Increase likelihood of doing it
• Make it a place you want to go!
• Reduce work distractions

Mentorship program tip

Guinea Pigs

At the start...

So, Evan, how is it going?

Wait, did it fail?

hint: It's still a success!

Current context

• Both of us are 110+% booked

Current benefits

• Motivation
  • Continued accountability to be productive in down-time
• Relationship building
• Guidance
  • Fielding domain-specific, social, and career questions

Conclusion

Pros

• Achievement
• Recognition
• Responsibility
• Growth

Where have we seen this before?

Deltas

• Requires strong commitment to make time for it when busy
• Keep digital records! (Even snapshots of meeting notes)

How to make it successful

• What growth excites you?
• Who can help you grow like that?
• Customize the process!

Questions?