Peer-to-peer mentoring for business leaders

No, formal qualifications aren’t required to be a mentor on the IoD Mentor Connect Platform. However, we do look for experienced IoD members who have a strong track record in directorship.

Your practical knowledge and insights gained through real-world experience are what will be most valuable to your mentee.

Special offer

Our provider of professional business mentoring, the Association of Business Mentors, provides IoD members with discounts on both their membership joining fee and courses to support you on your journey in becoming a qualified business mentor. To find out more, click here.

Any IoD member who is an experienced director and feels confident in supporting other directors on their leadership journey can become a mentor.

Your willingness to share your knowledge and expertise is what makes the programme successful.

As a mentor, you’ll play a vital role in supporting your mentee’s professional development. This includes providing guidance and advice, offering feedback on challenges they face, and helping them set and achieve their goals.

The platform facilitates communication and scheduling meetings, but the frequency of these interactions is flexible – it’s something you’ll decide on together with your mentee.

The time commitment for mentors is flexible and can be tailored to fit your schedule and your mentee’s needs.

There’s no minimum or maximum requirement.

However, we recommend establishing a regular schedule of communication (e.g., monthly meetings) to ensure a productive mentorship experience.

Being a mentor offers a wealth of rewards that extend beyond simply helping others. Here are some key benefits you’ll gain:

• Sharpen your skills: Mentorship isn’t just about sharing knowledge – it’s a two-way street. By guiding your mentee through challenges and fostering their problem-solving skills, you’ll refine your own analytical and communication abilities.
• Boost your confidence: As you share your expertise and witness your mentee’s growth, you’ll gain a renewed appreciation for your own knowledge and experience. This can be a powerful confidence booster in your professional life.
• Expand your network: Mentorship connects you with a new generation of leaders and fresh perspectives. This can lead to valuable professional connections and broaden your understanding of the ever-evolving business landscape.
• Give back to your community: Sharing your knowledge with aspiring directors is a fulfilling way to contribute to the success of the IoD community and foster future leaders in the field. The sense of purpose you gain from supporting others is a unique reward.

Becoming a mentor is an investment in both your own growth and the future of your profession.

Yes, you have some control over who you mentor.

Mentees will send you a request to be your mentee, and you can then review their profile and ask any questions you may have before deciding to accept.

This allows you to find a mentee who aligns with your expertise and interests. You also have the option to decline a request or withdraw your application from the programme at any time.

To ensure you can provide each mentee with the time and attention they deserve, we recommend limiting the number of mentees you work with to a maximum of three at any one time.

This allows you to foster meaningful relationships and offer personalised support to each mentee on their leadership journey.

However, the ultimate decision is yours.

If you feel comfortable managing more than 3 mentees and have the capacity to do so effectively, you can discuss this with the administrators by emailing [email protected].

Your mentees will be fellow IoD members who are aspiring or existing executive directors seeking guidance and support in their leadership journey.

In most cases, they won’t be young students, but rather experienced professionals looking to elevate their directorship skills and knowledge.

The platform facilitates connections based on your expertise and the specific needs of your mentees.

This ensures a mutually beneficial mentorship experience where you can share your insights and they can gain valuable guidance from a seasoned director like yourself.

The IoD Mentor Connect platform is a free benefit exclusively for IoD members.

Discover the benefits of IoD membership and gain full access to the mentoring platform and other benefits that will help you excel in your leadership career.

Explore membership options.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer! The time it takes to be matched with a mentee depends on a few things, including:

• Your profile: A detailed and informative profile highlighting your experience and areas of expertise will be attractive to mentees seeking specific guidance. Regularly update your profile to showcase your skills and experience relevant to mentee needs.
• Mentee demand: The overall pool of mentees on the platform and their interests will influence how quickly you connect with a good fit. Be patient. The platform is constantly growing, so new mentees are joining all the time.
• Remember: Even if you haven’t been matched yet, your profile is still visible to mentees browsing the directory. This is a great opportunity to showcase your expertise and attract potential mentees who might reach out directly to you.

If you’d like to speed up the process, consider emailing us at [email protected]. We can help facilitate connections based on your expertise and mentee needs.

Thank you for your continued support and involvement with the IoD Mentor Connect platform. Your role is vital in fostering growth, leadership and shared learning within the IoD community.

To celebrate your contribution, we’ve created promotional assets you can use to share on your social media profiles.

Click on the links below to download the assets for each social media channel:

• LinkedIn
• X (Twitter)
• Facebook
• Instagram

To download, right-click and select ‘save image as’. If you’re having any issues, please email [email protected].

You can also use the suggested copy for your social posts, which you can download here.

We encourage you to share your involvement with your network and continue to inspire others in the community.

Thank you again for being an essential part of IoD Mentor Connect and for your dedication to mutual growth and leadership!

Our platform is designed to help you find a mentor who perfectly complements your needs and goals. Here’s how you can leverage the search filters to find your ideal match:

• Expertise and skills: Seek out mentors with expertise relevant to your desired career path. Focus on areas where you want to develop your skill set.
• Industry: Narrow down your search by sector to find mentors who understand the specific challenges and opportunities within your field.
• Career stage: Match with mentors who have experience at a similar stage in their careers. They can offer valuable insights based on their own journey.
• Company size: Consider if you’d prefer a mentor from a similar sized company or one with experience in a larger or smaller organisation, depending on your goals.
• Location: While online mentoring offers flexibility, location preference can be a factor. You might seek someone you can meet with in person occasionally.
• Mentoring preference: Indicate whether you prefer face-to-face meetings, online video calls, or a combination of both, depending on your learning style and availability.

By utilising these filters in combination, you’ll be well on your way to finding a mentor who can provide tailored guidance and support throughout your directorship journey.

The beauty of peer-to-peer mentoring lies in its flexibility to address a wide range of topics relevant to your directorship journey. Here are some examples to get you started:

• Executive leadership: Discuss strategies for effective boardroom leadership, navigating complex board dynamics, and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Corporate governance: Seek guidance on implementing best practice in corporate governance, ensuring transparency and accountability within your organisation.
• Risk management: Gain insights on identifying and mitigating potential risks, developing robust risk management frameworks, and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Sustainability: Explore strategies for integrating sustainability into your company’s operations, managing environmental impact, and aligning with stakeholder expectations.
• Professional Development: Discuss strategies for continuous learning, setting professional goals, and developing your skill set to excel in the ever-evolving business landscape.
• Strategy: Discuss strategic planning for your organisation, developing a competitive advantage, and making sound long-term decisions.
• Finance: Gain insights on financial management, understanding financial statements, and making informed financial decisions for your organisation.

These are just a few examples, and the specific topics you discuss will depend on your individual needs and aspirations. Your mentor can also be a sounding board for broader career challenges, offering valuable perspectives and advice to help you navigate your professional journey.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the ideal meeting frequency depends on your individual needs and preferences, as well as your mentor’s availability.

Here are some additional tips for establishing a meeting schedule with your mentor:

• Discuss your preferences during your initial meeting.
• Consider your individual schedules and availability.
• Factor in the complexity of the topics you want to address.
• Maintain consistent communication and adjust the frequency as needed.

By openly communicating and finding a mutually agreeable schedule, you can ensure your mentorship journey is productive and enriching.

We understand that mentorship is most effective when there’s a strong connection. If, after giving it a try, you feel your match isn’t ideal, you have options:

• Schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss expectations and find common ground.
• Withdraw your application and request a re-match through the platform to find a mentor better aligned with your needs.

The IoD Mentor Connect platform is a free peer-to-peer benefit exclusively for IoD members.

Discover the benefits of IoD membership and gain full access to the mentoring platform and other benefits that will help you excel in your leadership career.

Explore membership options.

Special offer

To find out about our discounted professional business mentoring offer from the Association of Business Mentors, providing IoD members with access to qualified mentors, click here.

To ensure you can provide focused attention to each mentoring relationship, we recommend limiting the number of mentors you work with to a maximum of five at a time.

However, the choice is ultimately yours.

If you feel you can effectively manage more than five mentors, you can discuss this with the administrators by emailing [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support and involvement with the IoD Mentor Connect platform. Your role is vital in fostering growth, leadership and shared learning within the IoD community.

To celebrate your contribution, we’ve created promotional assets you can use to share on your social media profiles.

Click on the links below to download the assets for each social media channel:

• LinkedIn
• X (Twitter)
• Facebook
• Instagram

To download, right-click and select ‘save image as’. If you’re having any issues, please email [email protected].

You can also use the suggested copy for your social posts, which you can download here.

We encourage you to share your involvement with your network and continue to inspire others in the community.

Thank you again for being an essential part of IoD Mentor Connect and for your dedication to mutual growth and leadership!