Mentoring

Mentoring is a communication strategy; it enables individuals to engage in conversations and relationships directed at enhancing career satisfaction, professional development and professional practice. Mentoring is a longer term relationship in which someone with more experience and wisdom (mentor) supports and encourages another (mentee/protégé) as that individual grows and develops professionally and personally. In mentoring the focus is mainly on role modeling and guidance rather then on supervision and instruction.

There are many ways to engage in a mentorship relationship; we can informally reach out and ask for a mentor or to be a mentor or we can participate in a formal mentorship program.

Five Phase Mentoring Relationship Model

Integral Visions Consulting uses the Five Phase Mentoring Relationship Model© as the basis for our work with mentoring. We developed this Model in collaboration with donnerwheeler and it is designed to guide mentoring relationships from the establishment of the purpose of the mentoring relationship, through engaging the right mentor, establishing a plan for the mentoring, the emergence and ongoing activity of the relationship, and honoring the achievement of goals and completion of the relationship.

Mentorship Orientation Program for Organizations and Individuals

This program assists organizations who are developing a formal mentorship program. Our program, which includes a customized workbook and a two day workshop, takes participants through our Five Phase Mentoring Relationship Model©, provides an introduction to the basics of mentoring and helps participants get started on their mentoring relationships. We help you to build sustainability into your mentoring program using both on site programming and virtual strategies such as OpenSpace-Online®. If you are interested in learning more about this Program, please contact us.

Mentoring Activities

1. A Mentorship Orientation Program was launched in March 2007 as part of the Ontario Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses e-Mentorship Program. The initiative, entitled Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) Mentorship: A Strategy for Professional Growth and Career Development, was sponsored by McMaster University and the Ontario Oncology Advanced Practice Nurses Community of Practice with funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

2. Inaugural member of the International Alliance for Mentoring (IAM) and regular participant in annual international mentoring circle in Raleigh, North Carolina. IAM is a global network of individuals and organizations whose purpose is to influence the future of humanity in becoming a harmonious place, by linking individuals and organizations who seek higher consciousness, higher awareness, highest good and highest joy through mentoring.

3. Host and participate in mentoring circles for the Genuine Contact™ Program in Ontario. Genuine Contact Professionals from across Southern Ontario and around the globe are invited to participate in quarterly mentoring circles to assist in professional development and Genuine Contact Program development in our area. Michelle Cooper is pleased to take an active leadership role in these mentoring circles.