When mentoring a new protege, what should you NOT do?

Molding a protege into your image goes against the fundamental principles of effective mentorship. A mentor's role is to guide, support, and empower the protege to develop their own skills, ideas, and identity. By trying to shape them according to personal preferences or beliefs, the mentor risks stifling the protege's individuality and unique potential, which is critical for their growth and success.

This approach also undermines the mentoring relationship, as it can create feelings of inadequacy or resentment if the protege feels they must conform to the mentor's expectations rather than exploring their own strengths and interests. The essence of mentoring lies in fostering an environment of trust and autonomy, where the protege can feel encouraged to develop their own insights and solutions. In contrast to molding, being a sounding board, providing feedback, and sharing experiences are practices that promote open dialogue and learning, allowing the protege to thrive on their own terms.