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Confidence / Confidence at Work / Lesson 33
LESSON 33 · CONFIDENCE AT WORK

Mentor Someone Newer

Thirty-two easy ways to mentor someone newer, because teaching others makes you stronger and kinder.

Mentoring grows you too. Share what you know.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg), The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman), Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Mentor someone newer
TIP 1

Mentor someone newer

Mentoring is one of the fastest ways to grow your own confidence. Explaining what you know helps you see how much you have learned, and the person you help gains a guide. You do not need to be senior; being a few steps ahead is enough.

TRY THIS
Offer a newer colleague a 20-minute chat this week.
Photo for the tip: Start small
TIP 2

Start small

Offer a chat.

TRY THIS
Message.
Photo for the tip: Listen first
TIP 3

Listen first

Their goals.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Share your story
TIP 4

Share your story

Including mistakes.

TRY THIS
Tell.
Photo for the tip: Share practical tips
TIP 5

Share practical tips

Tools, shortcuts.

TRY THIS
List.
Photo for the tip: Share people
TIP 6

Share people

Introductions.

TRY THIS
Connect.
Photo for the tip: Share context
TIP 7

Share context

Culture, unwritten rules.

TRY THIS
Explain.
Photo for the tip: Ask questions
TIP 8

Ask questions

Not just answer.

TRY THIS
Coach.
Photo for the tip: Set a rhythm
TIP 9

Set a rhythm

Monthly.

TRY THIS
Schedule.
Photo for the tip: Keep confidentiality
TIP 10

Keep confidentiality

Trust.

TRY THIS
Promise.
Photo for the tip: Give feedback
TIP 11

Give feedback

Specific.

TRY THIS
Prepare.
Photo for the tip: Give encouragement
TIP 12

Give encouragement

Genuine.

TRY THIS
Say it.
Photo for the tip: Give stretch
TIP 13

Give stretch

Challenges.

TRY THIS
Suggest.
Photo for the tip: Avoid lecturing
TIP 14

Avoid lecturing

Dialogue.

TRY THIS
Pause.
Photo for the tip: Avoid solving everything
TIP 15

Avoid solving everything

Let them think.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Avoid favouritism
TIP 16

Avoid favouritism

Fair.

TRY THIS
Check.
Photo for the tip: Avoid overcommitting
TIP 17

Avoid overcommitting

Boundaries.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Avoid judging
TIP 18

Avoid judging

Support.

TRY THIS
Listen.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a new hire
TIP 19

Scene: a new hire

Show the ropes.

TRY THIS
Offer.
Photo for the tip: Scene: an intern
TIP 20

Scene: an intern

Teach basics.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a peer in a new role
TIP 21

Scene: a peer in a new role

Share lessons.

TRY THIS
Chat.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a student
TIP 22

Scene: a student

Career advice.

TRY THIS
Meet.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a remote colleague
TIP 23

Scene: a remote colleague

Video chats.

TRY THIS
Book.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a struggling colleague
TIP 24

Scene: a struggling colleague

Check in.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a shy colleague
TIP 25

Scene: a shy colleague

Gentle invitations.

TRY THIS
Offer.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a high performer
TIP 26

Scene: a high performer

Stretch ideas.

TRY THIS
Suggest.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a career changer
TIP 27

Scene: a career changer

Transferable skills.

TRY THIS
Discuss.
Photo for the tip: Scene: a volunteer
TIP 28

Scene: a volunteer

Guide.

TRY THIS
Welcome.
Photo for the tip: Learn from mentoring
TIP 29

Learn from mentoring

You grow too.

TRY THIS
Reflect.
Photo for the tip: Find a mentor yourself
TIP 30

Find a mentor yourself

Both ways.

TRY THIS
Ask.
Photo for the tip: Join a programme
TIP 31

Join a programme

Company, community.

TRY THIS
Sign up.
Photo for the tip: Write a guide
TIP 32

Write a guide

For newcomers.

TRY THIS
Draft.
Photo for the tip: Run a workshop
TIP 33

Run a workshop

Share skills.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate their wins
TIP 34

Celebrate their wins

Cheer.

TRY THIS
Say it.
Photo for the tip: Know when to refer
TIP 35

Know when to refer

Others.

TRY THIS
Connect.
Photo for the tip: Stay in touch
TIP 36

Stay in touch

Warm.

TRY THIS
Message.
Photo for the tip: Be patient
TIP 37

Be patient

Growth takes time.

TRY THIS
Keep going.
Photo for the tip: Seek help
TIP 38

Seek help

Mentor training.

TRY THIS
Consider it.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate
TIP 39

Celebrate

You helped.

TRY THIS
Mark it.
Photo for the tip: Close with generosity
TIP 40

Close with generosity

Say, “Lift as you climb.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

OFFER

“I am happy to help you settle in.”

ASK

“What would you like to learn?”

SHARE

“Here is something that helped me.”

ENCOURAGE

“You are doing well.”

THANK

“Thanks for trusting me.”

CLOSE

“Let us meet again next week.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Offer your time
DAY 2
Ask what they need
DAY 3
Listen first
DAY 4
Share stories
DAY 5
Set small goals
DAY 6
Give kind feedback
DAY 7
Celebrate progress

Further reading

  • Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg)
  • The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman)
  • Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.

More lessons in “Confidence at Work”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Give Your First PresentationNext: Handle a Mistake at Work →

  1. Prepare Your Three Stories
  2. Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" Well
  3. Handle the Question You Fear
  4. Ask Great Questions Back
  5. Talk About Your Strengths Without Bragging
  6. Recover From a Bad Answer
  7. Follow Up With a Winning Note
  8. Speak in the First Ten Minutes
  9. Prepare One Point Before Every Meeting
  10. Disagree With a Colleague Kindly
  11. Handle Being Interrupted
  12. Share Credit and Claim Yours
  13. Speak Up in a Big Group
  14. Look Confident in Video Meetings
  15. Ask for Feedback Regularly
  16. Receive Criticism Without Crumbling
  17. Ask for a Raise With Evidence
  18. Share Ideas Without Fear
  19. Say No to Extra Work Politely
  20. Report Problems Early
  21. Show Your Value Every Month
  22. Introduce Yourself in a New Team
  23. Make Friends at Work
  24. Ask for Help Without Shame
  25. Handle a Difficult Colleague
  26. Stop Being the Office Pushover
  27. Celebrate Others and Be Celebrated
  28. Build Your Reputation Quietly
  29. Take on a Stretch Project
  30. Overcome Impostor Syndrome
  31. Lead Without a Title
  32. Give Your First Presentation
  33. Mentor Someone Newer
  34. Handle a Mistake at Work
  35. Set a Career Goal You Believe In
  36. Learn One New Skill Every Quarter
  37. Network Without Feeling Fake
  38. Say Yes to Opportunities That Scare You
  39. Protect Your Energy and Balance
  40. Your Confidence at Work Plan
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