Mentorship FAQs

> What is a Mentor?

A mentor is a person that has certain experiences that they are then willing to share with others; these experiences may be skills based or role based. A mentor is someone who listens, provides feedback, shares ideas, and essentially helps the mentee to learn and grow in the area(s) of focus.

> What is a Mentee?

A mentee is someone who has identified a specific personal or professional goal and who believes that the guidance and help of a mentor can help them achieve their goal. A mentee is a person who is open to being advised, trained and counseled by a mentor.

> How long is the program and what is the time commitment?

The commitment is 1 hour per month for 9 months. There will be a 1 hour training session for all participants in late November/early December. The meetings between Mentor/Mentee will begin in January and continue through August. There will be additional opportunities to be involved like social events and trainings, but they will be optional.

> Why should I be a Mentor?

Mentorship is a mutually beneficial relationship. Though the mentor may seem to “gift” time, attention, and leverage, the mentee can provide value in the relationship as well; this could include providing different perspectives (especially if the mentee is of a different background), insights from their level in the organization, or they can help a leader to be seen as someone who excels at developing talent. For example, some organizations have started reverse mentorship programs where millennials share their insights and ability to navigate social media to more senior leaders who want to learn more about both.

> What is Expected of me if I am a Mentor?

At a minimum, mentors and mentees are expected to attend one training on how to develop a mentorship relationship (November/December) and to meet 1 hour a month for 8 months with their mentee (January-August).

Since a mentorship relationship is based on trust, both the mentor and mentee are responsible for determining the best cadence to achieve the outcomes of the relationship. This may mean choosing to meet more frequently than just the required once a month. At the completion of the program, it is up to the mentor and mentee to determine if the relationship should continue.

> How is the matching taking place?

Those participating in the AWWW mentorship program will be asked about their career aspirations and development goals. The mentor-mentee matches have been paired by the mentorship committee based on this information.

> What if it’s a bad match?

We can’t force mentorship, but we can create opportunities for relationship building and provide the education and support to help develop the mentorship relationship. If you feel the match isn’t the right fit, please contact the AWWA Mentorship Committee (mentorship@awwawine.org). They will talk with both parties to uncover if there are any derailers in the relationship or if it is a true mismatch. Next steps will be determined from there.

> Skills & Qualifications

> Mentees

  • Minimum two (2) years of experience in the wine & grape industry
  • Driven to advance themselves and careers

> Mentors

  • Minimum ten (10) years of experience in the grape & wine industry
  • Proven leadership & communication skills
 

Participant Do’s and Don’ts

Mentee Do's

  • Take a proactive role in shaping the relationship.
  • Understand what you want from the mentoring relationship and communicate your goals and aspirations to your mentor. Balance a personal and professional relationship with your mentor.
  • Set aside time for the mentoring process and keep all scheduled appointments with your mentor and display professional behavior.
  • Keep information that your mentor has shared with you confidential.
  • PUT THE TIME WITH MENTOR TO THE BEST USE. Come to meetings prepared with planned topics.
  • Respond in a timely manner to your mentor's feedback.
  • Be open and honest with your mentor about your challenges and weaknesses.
 

Mentor Do's

  • Take responsibility to initiate the relationship.
  • Set aside time for the mentoring process and honor all appointments.
  • Invite the mentee to meetings or activities, as appropriate. Schedule meetings with planned topics.
  • Be flexible on meeting times and places.
  • Arrange frequent contacts through telephone, e-mail, face-to-face, Zoom, etc. as appropriate
  • Respond to emails from your mentee within 2 days of receipt.
  • Keep information that your mentee has shared with you confidential. If something concerning the mentee needs to be discussed with others, it should first be discussed within the mentoring relationship.
  • Establish open and honest communication and a forum for idea exchange.
  • Foster creativity and independence. Help build self-confidence and offer encouragement.
  • Provide honest and timely feedback to your mentee.
  • Provide opportunities for the mentee to talk about concerns and ask questions.
  • Above all, LISTEN.

Mentee Don'ts

  • Ask for advice on everything. Have a purpose in each request.
  • Blame the mentor if their advice doesn't work out.
  • Expect the mentor to have all the answers.
  • Commit yourself to obligations you cannot keep.
  • Cancel meetings/visits with your mentor at the last minute.
 

Mentor Don'ts

  • Try to give advice on everything.
  • Encourage mentee to be totally dependent upon you.
  • Provide your personal history, problems, animosities, successes, failures, etc. unless they are constructive contributions.
  • Be too busy when the mentee needs your friendship or your support. If you do not have time, give the mentee a heads up, so that they know when they can reach you.
  • Criticize.