Nominate a Mentor

Matrix mentoring is an integral part of the WOMEN Unlimited, Inc. LEAD Program. It is a multi-faceted approach to mentoring that offers several options for increasing the learning and networking opportunities that both mentees and mentors can experience.

Using the matrix approach, program participants –- representing diverse occupations,

organizations, skills and life experiences –- engage in team mentoring with equally diverse peers and senior-level male and female mentors from organizations other than their own.

Effective teams are created by matching the developmental needs of the mentees with the expertise of peers and external mentors. The teams benchmark best practices, broaden business perspectives, and discuss the issues and challenges of professional development.

Benefits

Matrix mentoring supplements one-on-one mentoring with important benefits, including:

1. Broader functional diversity of both mentors and mentees, each with his or her own area of expertise
2. Increased opportunity to learn from more than one individual
3. Access to subject matter experts in areas such as finance, human resources, operations, marketing, and sales
4. More networking and benchmarking opportunities for both mentors and mentees
5. Additional opportunities for peer and team coaching

Matrix Mentoring Teams

Since relationship building is the foundation for effective mentoring, mentors and mentees should commit to:

1. Attending the “Leveraging Alliances” Workshop, during which mentors and mentees are introduced the mentoring process commences
2. Working together to establish individual expectations, objectives, and measurement processes
3. Participating in one-on-one interactions (via telephone, e-mail, or in-person).  While one interaction is a component requirement, It is available for individuals when specific advice or subject matter expertise is needed which cannot be addressed in the team environment
4. Attending scheduled team meetings
5. Being open to receiving and giving honest feedback.
6. Fully experiencing matrix mentoring as a valuable professional learning experience

WOMEN Unlimited, Inc. establishes matrix mentoring guidelines, but we also encourage team creativity and innovation. Teams establish their own rules and opportunities for personal and professional growth and development!

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