Mentoring, or more precisely its individual form, is one of the classic tools for leadership development. The so-called group mentoring is less known although this kind of mentoring has many advantages over the individual one. It takes the form of a group of six to eight mentees who meet together with their mentor once or twice a quarter to a common discussion. That creates a stimulating environment for mutual learning in which the mentees can draw new ideas not only from the mentor but also from their colleagues.
Thanks to the group mentoring, mutual learning is more conversational and involves more information resources. It also often allows more extensive discussions on various topics. A certain disadvantage may be a less feeling of intimacy as compared to individual mentoring, especially when it comes to criticism of the behavior of group members.
The basic precondition for a functioning group mentoring is trust. You cannot reach anything without it. Then, you should stick to the following rules:
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Think of every opinion and commentary as legitimate.
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Keep all information confidential.
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Help each other with your problems and active involvement in the group.
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Say what you really think and stand up for your own words.
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All group members are equal.
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The purpose of the group is to provide professional and personal growth to the members, not to solve all the problems they have.
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