What do you do if your mentee in Conflict Resolution is struggling to set and achieve career goals?

1 Assess their current situation

The first step is to understand where your mentee is at in their career journey. Ask them open-ended questions about their current role, responsibilities, challenges, and satisfaction. Listen actively and empathetically to their answers, and avoid interrupting or criticizing. Try to identify their strengths, interests, values, and motivations, as well as any gaps, obstacles, or conflicts they may face.

2 Explore their options

The next step is to help your mentee explore their potential career options. Encourage them to research different fields, industries, organizations, and roles that align with their skills and passions. Suggest resources, tools, and networks that can help them learn more about the opportunities and requirements in their areas of interest. Help them brainstorm ideas, pros and cons, and scenarios for each option, and challenge them to think critically and creatively.

3 Set SMART goals

The third step is to help your mentee set SMART goals for their career development. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These criteria can help your mentee define clear and realistic objectives that are aligned with their vision and values. Help them break down their goals into smaller and manageable steps, and assign deadlines and indicators of progress. Review their goals regularly and celebrate their achievements.

4 Provide feedback and support

The fourth step is to provide constructive feedback and support to your mentee throughout their career journey. Give them honest and respectful input on their performance, strengths, areas of improvement, and challenges. Acknowledge their efforts and accomplishments, and encourage them to learn from their mistakes and failures. Be available and responsive to their questions, concerns, and requests for guidance. Refer them to other mentors, experts, or resources if needed.

5 Facilitate reflection and learning

The fifth step is to facilitate reflection and learning for your mentee in conflict resolution. Help them evaluate their outcomes, experiences, and feedback, and identify what worked well and what didn't. Encourage them to think about what they learned, how they grew, and what they can do differently in the future. Ask them open-ended questions that prompt them to analyze, synthesize, and apply their knowledge and skills. Help them document and showcase their achievements and learning.

6 Adjust and revise

The sixth step is to help your mentee adjust and revise their career goals as needed. Remind them that career goals are not fixed or final, but dynamic and flexible. Help them monitor the changes and trends in their field, industry, and organization, and how they affect their opportunities and expectations. Encourage them to seek feedback and input from others, and to be open to new ideas and possibilities. Help them update and modify their goals accordingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?