Individualized goals paired with specific action items serve a secondary purpose as well. They provide a framework for determining whether the mentee is making progress.
Imagine a map with a starting and ending point but no roads between. As you drive, how would you know that you were heading in the right direction? A straight line is rarely the path you’ll follow, so without a specified route, you’ll likely never reach your destination.
Goals paired with action items provide a way to measure your advancement. Is the mentee making progress toward the goal? Well - have they finished improving their resume? Have they listed the skills they’ll need to move up in their organization? Have they researched job training programs?
The previous examples are specific action items that contribute toward reaching the mentee’s goal, and they’re highly personal. No two mentees will follow the same path, nor are they all looking to move in the same direction. Establishing a personalized mentoring plan will help the mentee find their way, while simultaneously providing the mentor with information about what the need to help.