Strategies for Mentoring Through Uncertainty

Written by: Vessela Vassileva-Clarke, Jessica Brassard, Elizabeth Lathrop on the Mentoring Committee Marketing and Communications (McMc) Committee

Managing stress in the face of uncertainty is a crucial skill that, together with connecting with a more experienced mentor or a like-minded mentee, can significantly improve our mental and emotional well-being. Uncertainty can lead to feelings of anxiety and helplessness for both mentors and mentees. Evidence-based mentoring strategies can help mitigate these effects. How can we show up in our mentoring relationships during uncertainty, beyond employing the usual stress reduction recommendations of practicing mindfulness, regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep? Seeking support from our NORDP mentoring community, whether in our dyads, mentoring cohorts, or peer mentoring groups, can provide a safe space to share concerns and gain perspective, reinforcing that we are not alone.

The NORDP Mentoring Committee offers a wealth of mentoring tools and resources that can be adapted to support each other through uncertainty via WisdomShare’s Learning Library. All NORDP members can create an account on WisdomShare to access these tools and resources (WisdomShare account here):

1. Bolster your foundation of trust and psychological safety and check in with your people — You’ve been doing this all along. Take some time to revisit this for yourself and for those around you, whether in your formal mentoring relationships or in your everyday interactions. This strategy emphasizes creating a safe space for vulnerability during uncertain times. The evidence shows that psychological safety is crucial for learning and adaptation during change. See Building Trust from the NORDP Mentoring Toolkit.
2. Revisit agreements and reinforce flexible boundaries — During a time of change and uncertainty, you may want to review the ground rules of your mentoring relationship and revise them as appropriate. Be flexible with each other’s new ‘norm’ with respect to timing, forms of communication, and sharing of responsibilities. This is a time when “going the extra mile” can reinforce your support and commitment to your people! See Establishing Agreement for more tips.
3. Listen to support learning and understanding — Be mindful and pay close attention to what your colleagues are saying through the practice of Active Listening to support full understanding of a problem or a challenge. By asking “what”, “how” and “when”, you develop a strategy that encourages and empowers self-discovery and problem-solving. See Probing Questions for additional resources to enhance your ability to communicate clearly.
4. Give honest feedback and be thoughtful to those around you — Pay attention to others’ state of being when providing feedback and advice. Oftentimes, under stressful circumstances, extra patience can lead to rewarding and reciprocal experiences. Asking “am I hearing you correctly that …” can be a useful strategy for clarifying questions. “Pause – Listen – Think” before you respond can be another useful strategy during uncertain times. For more information, see Giving Honest Feedback and Advice. 
5. Lean into your MESHH Network for the support you need —  Leverage your mentoring relationships and RD/PD networks to identify allies and support. Consider sharing resumes with each other to enhance and strengthen your job application package and storytelling. Provide constructive peer feedback and investigate opportunities through the NORDP Job Board.

Want to read more tips? Check out the NORDP WisdomShare Learning Library for other related resources