Internal vs External Mentoring?

Internal mentoring programmes can help but they are not always sufficient. Many organisations have struggled to make internal mentoring programmes fully effective.

There are three clear reasons why an external Mentor and Trusted Advisor will be fully effective rather than an internal mentor.

Firstly they are truly independent and issues to do with colleagues, reporting lines and the politics of situations can be openly discussed in an environment of complete trust. Secondly, they make a specific and protected diarised time commitment, simlar to an NED role, and have a professional commitment to regular and focused Mentoring sessions with their mentee.

Thirdly they have a sense of perspective and experience gathered over many years of mentoring and operating in boardrooms in multiple sectors and trading environments that enable them to offer insightful and balanced guidance beyond the specific division or organisation.

Internal Mentoring programmes are useful in providing Sponsorship across the organisation and if they are organised and presented so that expectations are well-manegd they can be highly effective.