Mentoring is a relationship built on trust, open communication and mutual respect. The same is true for online mentoring relationships. However, the lack of face-to-face communication, limited visual cues and lack of nonverbal communication can make online mentoring challenging. There are many benefits to mentoring online, but there are also some challenges. Online mentoring allows mentors and mentees to connect when it’s convenient for them. It also enables mentors to reach a wider audience of potential mentees by distributing their message to a global audience. However, mentoring online also comes with some disadvantages. Since there is no physical presence between mentor and mentee, it can be harder for mentors to read the emotions of mentees and vice versa. Both mentors and mentees need to be mindful of this and be extra careful about how they communicate with each other so that misunderstandings don’t occur and trust is maintained.
Building trust in an online mentoring relationship is essential. In an online mentoring relationship, trust must be established before anything is shared. This includes sharing your screen and having the ability to see the screen of your mentee. If your mentee is uncomfortable with you seeing their screen, then trust will not be built. This is why it’s important to establish a code of ethics for online mentoring relationships. What should be shared and what should not be shared? What should be discussed and what should be kept private? What is the purpose of the mentoring relationship and who benefits from it?What are the expectations of both the mentor and mentee? What are the rules of engagement?These are all questions that need to be answered before you engage in an online mentoring relationship. These questions will help you to establish trust and form a mutual understanding between you and your mentee.
A lack of nonverbal communication can make it challenging to communicate in an online mentoring relationship. While you can use emoticons to help you express yourself more easily, you can’t use them as often as you would in an in-person mentoring relationship. This is because emoticons are not as universal as they are in English. Even though emoticons are used in online communication, they can sometimes be misinterpreted. This can make it more difficult to communicate with your mentee. When you are communicating with your mentee, there is also no way of knowing what your mentee is thinking or feeling. This can make it difficult for you to respond appropriately to what your mentee is saying. This can be challenging when you want to encourage your mentee or redirect them if they are off track.
When you’re communicating with someone online, you have less visual cues to help you understand what someone is saying than you would in an in-person mentoring relationship. This can make it more difficult for you to understand what your mentee is trying to communicate to you. You may have to ask questions to clarify what your mentee is trying to say. This can be challenging for a mentee who is used to communicating with their mentor in a different way. This can make it difficult for your mentee to communicate with you. This is why it’s important for both mentors and mentees to be mindful of the communication challenges that come with online mentoring.
Online mentoring is a great way for mentors to reach a wider audience of potential mentees. It also enables mentors to reach a wider audience of potential mentees by distributing their message to a global audience. However, mentoring online also comes with some disadvantages. Since there is no physical presence between mentor and mentee, it can be harder for mentors to read the emotions of mentees and vice versa. Both mentors and mentees need to be mindful of this and be extra careful about how they communicate with each other so that misunderstandings don’t occur and trust is maintained.