Key Mentorship Characteristics (KMC)
1) CONFIDENTIALITY - An understanding between a limited number of parties regarding the extent to which information shared between them will be kept private or revealed to those outside of the group. Information that has been shared between the parties was communicated in confidence, with the understanding that it’s distribution will be carefully handled.
We had such a great response to our request for comments on the role of “CONFIDENTIALITY” in
Mentorship that we felt we had to post these separately in order to keep these special comments intact for your benefit and reading pleasure.
This is a continuation from the first in a
series of BLOG posts related to Key Characteristics found within Healthy
Mentoring Relationships.
Here's a quick glimpse of the following special posts featured on this BLOG.
Here's a quick glimpse of the following special posts featured on this BLOG.
* IN THIS POST - Tuulikki
Juusela, Womco Ltd (Finland)
Previous Post:
Feb. 7, 2013 - John Kuypers, Performance Shift Consulting (Canada)Feb. 14, 2013 - Prof David Clutterbuck, David Clutterbuck Partnership (United Kingdom)
Please feel free to share
your experience with respect to this aspect of mentorship and invite others to
participate where you feel they could add value to our discussion.
We asked:
•
What is the role
of CONFIDENTIALITY within a mentoring relationship?
•
What does CONFIDENTIALITY
mean to you?
•
How is CONFIDENTIALITY
developed between the mentoring partners?
Here are some comments that we've received from our friends,
respected professionals and experts who are familiar with this subject:
 |
| Jim Ewing with Tuulikki Juusela |
Tuulikki Juusela -Tuulikki
Juusela has a M.Sc. focussed on psychology, national economics, social policy
and statistics. She has long been active at an international level in
mentorship. A Finnish citizen, she owns a training and public relations
company as well as an antiques business. Formerly the Executive Director
for the Finnish Council for Health Education, on the Executive
Committee for the European Union for Health Education and the
International Union for Health Education, Tuulikki has been the Head of
the Statistical Office of the Finnish Municipal Association and
Researcher for the Statistical Office of Finland.
"Confidentiality in Mentoring - The successful partnership between the Mentor and Mentee is based on trust, honesty and confidentiality. It does safeguard the process and sensitive personal information. The opportunity to discuss issues in confidence is crucial to the effectiveness of mentoring. All conversations between mentor and mentee have to be kept confidential unless both parties agree otherwise for a specific topic. Clarify how each party defines confidentiality. Discuss which topics or issues are most in need of “protection.” Then agree together which items are confidential, maybe even writing them down and ”signing” together.Areas of confidentiality could include:
- work related areas (performance reviews, feedback, etc) that the mentee is willing to make available to the mentor
- areas of life outside of work that the mentee is willing to talk about (these should be relevant to the mentoring relationship)
- areas of work and life that the mentor is willing to include in the mentoring relationship
Also agree which sensitive issues are off-limits for discussion. Delicate topics should be discussed only when initiated by the mentee. Breaching confidentiality might cause considerable damage to the trust between mentor and mentee. Mentors may encounter situations that are beyond their expertise, in which they may wish to consult with somebody. Mentor needs permission from mentee. Both partners agree that the Mentor can speak to someone else about an issue or problem. The Mentor and Mentee will agree who the Mentor will speak to and the boundaries of the discussion."
Tuulikki Juusela
Womco Ltd
Finland
NOW -
Please feel free to share
your comments and experiences with respect to this aspect of
mentorship. Also, help us to reach others who could benefit from
participating in this discussion. We welcome your 'sharing' this page
with those in your circle of contacts!
Questions:
•
What is the role
of CONFIDENTIALITY within a mentoring relationship?
•
What does CONFIDENTIALITY
mean to you?
•
How is CONFIDENTIALITY
developed between the mentoring partners?
1 comment:
The following comments are a continuation of the “Q & A” session I had with my friend Bill Butler from British Columbia (Canada). We were discussing some specific aspects related to the topic of CONFIDENTIALITY IN A MENTORSHIP RELATIONSHIP.
Enjoy the conversation as I’ve presented Bill’s responses in a Q & A format for you:
----------------------------------------------------
JIM: WHEN IS IT MOST IMPORTANT TO HAVE A FOCUS ON CONFIDENTIALITY IN A MENTORSHIP RELATIONSHIP, AND WHY?
BILL: WHEN IS IT MOST IMPORTANT TO HAVE A FOCUS ON CONFIDENTIALITY IN A MENTORSHIP RELATIONSHIP, AND WHY?
It is MOST IMPORTANT to have a focus on CONFIDENTIALITY in a mentorship relationship AT ALL TIMES because a careless word, either ill-timed or inappropriately placed can have devastating effects on the mentorship relationship. It is especially important to be aware of conversations straying off topic or leading in a direction away from your goals and objectives as a mentor.
JIM: IS THERE A STORY OR EXAMPLE OF CONFIDENTIALITY THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE?
BILL: IS THERE A STORY OR EXAMPLE OF CONFIDENTIALITY THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE?
My wife is friends with the wife of a man that I mentor and coach. Many times, this mentee divulges information that, if compromised,
would destroy the integrity of our relationship. Fortunately, I have earned his trust and he knows that his confidence in me is well placed.
Because of this trust, he feels more confident in sharing aspects of his life that he would otherwise withhold.
This simply outlines the importance of having The Framework of Fidelity in place when special situations arise.
JIM: WHAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR SOMEONE LOOKING TO DEVELOP ASPECTS OF CONFIDENTIALITY IN A MENTORSHIP RELATIONSHIP?
BILL: WHAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR SOMEONE LOOKING TO DEVELOP ASPECTS OF CONFIDENTIALITY IN A MENTORSHIP
RELATIONSHIP?
LEAD LIKE JESUS, Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges. ISBN 0-8499-0040-9
To LOVE like Jesus is to lead like Jesus. That’s the whole point of the abovementioned framework.
While this book is not specifically about mentorship, your role as a mentor is that of a leader, and this book is very practical and full of Godly wisdom.
One last point... at the end of a mentorship relationship, CONFIDENTIALITY can be extended by the client in making referrals based upon his/her experience of the mentor.
----------------------------------------------------
Thank you very much Bill Butler ... I’ve enjoyed our exchange of perspectives and greatly appreciate your insights and expertise. Over this series, I feel you’ve added some great value to this discussion on Mentorship! Readers can access additional information from Bill Butler from his Facebook page, or at his website: www.williambutler.ca
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