Virtual mentoring is an increasingly popular alternative to face-to-face mentoring, especially for millennials and Gen Zers who are more comfortable communicating digitally. But even so, face-to-face mentoring remains the most effective way to learn new skills and grow as a professional.Virtual mentoring is an effective alternative to face-to-face mentoring when you’re working remotely, have limited time, or need to meet in a different time zone. But there are downsides to virtual mentoring too: Virtual mentors can’t see your body language or read your emotions the same way as a person you’re sitting across from. That can make it harder to build trust and rapport with your mentee if they feel like you’re not paying attention to them. Virtual mentoring also lacks the visual cues that come with face-to-face interaction. That can make it harder for mentors to read nonverbal cues from their mentees, which is essential for helping them improve their communication skills and build self-confidence. The following are some of the challenges of face-to-face mentoring:
Virtual mentors can’t see your body language or read your emotions the same way as a person you’re sitting across from. That can make it harder to build trust and rapport with your mentee if they feel like you’re not paying attention to them. Virtual mentors can’t see your gestures or hear your tone of voice. They can’t see if you’re fidgeting or squirming in your chair. They can’t see if you’re bored, frustrated, or feeling overwhelmed. Virtual mentors can’t see if you’re feeling anxious about finishing your project, or relieved that the project is finally over. Virtual mentors can’t see if your mentee is feeling confident or nervous about making a mistake. Virtual mentors can’t see if your mentee is struggling with something, or if they’re struggling to find the right words to describe their challenge.
Virtual mentors can’t use touch to build trust and rapport the way they can when they’re sitting across from their mentees. That’s because virtual mentors can’t feel the warmth of your hand, the pressure of your touch, or the warmth of your breath. Virtual mentors can’t feel the warmth of your smile, or the pressure of your handshake. Virtual mentors can’t feel the warmth of your breath on their face when you wrap your arms around them and give them a big hug.Virtual mentors can’t feel the warmth of your hand on their shoulder when you’re giving them a reassuring squeeze. Virtual mentors can’t feel the warmth of your hand on their back when you’re helping them to their feet after they’ve fallen and gotten back up again. Virtual mentors can’t feel the warmth of your hand on their arm when you’re walking them through a difficult challenge they’re facing.
Virtual mentors can’t use humour to build trust and rapport the way they can when they’re sitting across from their mentees. That’s because virtual mentors can’t see your smile or hear your laughter. Virtual mentors can’t see your smile or hear your laughter in your voice as you try to make a funny or awkward joke. Virtual mentors can’t see your laughter in your gestures as you try to make a funny or silly gesture. Virtual mentors can’t see your laughter in your eyes as you try to make a funny face.Virtual mentors can’t see your humour in your choice of words as you describe a challenging situation. Virtual mentors can’t see your humour in your choice of words as you describe a challenging project. Virtual mentors can’t see your humour in the way you tell a silly story.
Virtual mentors can’t use honesty to build trust and rapport the way they can when they’re sitting across from their mentees. That’s because virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in your words, your tone of voice, or the sincerity in your smile. Virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in your body language. Virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in your actions. Virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in the way you treat your mentee.Virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in the way you respond to their questions or suggestions. Virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in the way you share your challenges and successes. Virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in your choice of words as you describe your challenges.
Virtual mentors can’t see your body language or read your emotions the same way as a person you’re sitting across from. That can make it harder to build trust and rapport with your mentee if they feel like you’re not paying attention to them. Virtual mentors can’t see your gestures or hear your tone of voice. They can’t see if you’re fidgeting or squirming in your chair. They can’t see if you’re bored, frustrated, or feeling overwhelmed. Virtual mentors can’t see if your mentee is feeling confident or nervous about making a mistake. Virtual mentors can’t see if your mentee is struggling with something, or if they’re struggling to find the right words to describe their challenge. Virtual mentors can’t feel the warmth of your hand, the pressure of your touch, or the warmth of your breath. Virtual mentors can’t see your humour in your words, your tone of voice, or the sincerity in your smile. Virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in your words, your tone of voice, or the sincerity in your smile. Virtual mentors can’t see your honesty in your actions.