Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring

By Lisa Z. Fain and Lois J. Zachary

 
Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring is the best book I’ve read on mentoring. Several years ago I was charged with developing a mentoring program and could have greatly improved the program had I had this book. It offers excellent guidance, especially in how to determine and manage differences between mentor and mentee.

While the focus is to support, leverage, and advance diversity and inclusion, the practical advice and step-by-step how-to guidance will strengthen any mentoring program whether you were aiming for inclusion and diversity or not.

The book is divided into three parts:

·       Lean Forward into Differences explores preparing for mentoring.

·       Learn from Differences explores preparing your relationship which focuses on communicating while considering commonalities and differences.

·       Leverage Differences explores establishing agreements and setting/achieving goals.

There are pertinent exercises mentors and mentees can complete and the fictional case studies offer real-life like examples of the problems that can arise and how those problems can be addressed successfully. Finally, each chapter has an excellent recap of the key points, which would serve as a quick refresher for those utilizing the book.

Mentoring is not a one-size fits all development opportunity. The most successful programs embrace the individual differences of the mentees, which creates the best climate for development for both the individual and the organization. Mentoring can be a powerful development tool for individuals and for organizations. Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring is a map for making the process successful.