I stumbled upon this image on Instagram and it got me thinking. In coaching and mentoring, the process where someone uses their own past experiences to guide and assist another person is often referred to as “experience sharing” or “experiential learning.”

This can include sharing personal anecdotes, lessons learned, and insights gained from similar situations to help the mentee or coachee navigate their current challenges. It’s a way of leveraging one’s own journey to provide practical advice and support.

Having said that, if an individual is not receptive, helping them becomes challenging. Effective mentoring and coaching rely on the mentee’s openness and willingness to engage, listen, and reflect. Without this receptiveness, even the best guidance may not have the desired impact.

Here are some do’s and don’ts in this approach:

Do’s:

• Be Empathetic: Understand and relate to the mentee’s feelings and challenges.
• Share Relevant Experiences: Offer anecdotes and lessons that directly relate to the mentee’s situation.
• Encourage Openness: Foster an environment where the mentee feels safe to share and discuss their issues.
• Listen Actively: Pay attention to what the mentee is saying without interrupting or immediately offering solutions.
• Be Patient: Allow the mentee time to process and reflect on the shared experiences and advice.

Don’ts:

• Overwhelm with Information: Avoid sharing too much at once; focus on the most relevant experiences.
• Impose Your Views: Respect the mentee’s perspective and avoid forcing your opinions on them.
• Be Judgmental: Approach the mentee’s situation without criticism or preconceived notions.
• Assume One-Size-Fits-All: Recognize that each individual’s journey is unique and tailor your advice accordingly.
• Ignore Feedback: Be open to receiving feedback from the mentee and adjust your approach as needed.