Types of Mentoring

Make Your Meetings More Active

  • Include items on your meeting agenda that require participants to get out of their seats (breakout groups, stand and write ideas on an easel).
  • Choose movement friendly meeting locations (walkable neighborhoods, on-site gym, nearby park).
  • Hire a professional instructor (pilates, yoga, tai chi, stretching, Zumba) to lead a class before or during the meeting.
  • Point out the stairs and encourage attendees to use them. Consider including the location of stairs in meeting directions or putting arrows to the stairs in front of elevators.
  • Organize a group walk early in the morning, during a break or before/after dinner.
  • Consider incorporating standing ovations after each speaker to encourage participants to stand and stretch.

Standing Breaks

  • At least once an hour, participants should be encouraged to stand up to improve blood circulation, boost metabolism, and relieve physical discomfort from sitting for prolonged periods of time.
  • Announce that it is fine to stand up and move around, as needed. If possible, provide raised tables for those electing to stand during the meeting.

Stretch Breaks

  • Stretch breaks help participants wake up their bodies and minds.
  • Encourage people to stand up and stretch in place.
  • Try playing a Healthy UC Davis WakeBreak video! These instructor-led stretch videos range from 4 to 15 minutes. 

Breathing Exercise

  • Focused breathing is an energizing activity that can help relax and clear your mind. Simply inhale for four seconds, hold it for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds.

Suggested Activity Agendas

LENGTH OF MEETINGSTANDING BREAKSTRETCH BREAKSBREATHING BREAKSMOVEMENT BREAKSWALKING BREAKS
50 - 60 minx x  
2 - 4 hoursxxxx 
All Dayxxxxx

There are several types of mentoring.

Traditional One-on-One Mentoring

A mentee and mentor are matched, either through a program or on their own. Mentee-mentor partners participate in a mentoring relationship with structure and timeframe of their making or as established by a formal mentoring program.

Distance Mentoring

A mentoring relationship in which the two parties (or group) are in different locations. Sometimes called “virtual” mentoring.

Group Mentoring

A single mentor is matched with a cohort of mentees. Initial program structure is provided while allowing mentor to direct progress, pace and activities.

Peer Mentoring

Mentees and mentors paired are at similar levels or career stages, fostering mutual learning and support. 

Reverse Mentoring

Reverse mentoring pairs younger employees with experienced employees. Often this type of mentoring is enhanced by mentees having a specific thing they hope to learn or grow in. 

Formal & Informal Mentoring

Formal mentoring is structured, often part of an organization's program, while informal mentoring is more spontaneous and less structured.

Mosaic Mentoring

The idea that we have a mosaic of mentors through our life rather than one specific mentor over time. As individuals move through season in their life their need for different mentoring facets ebb and flow. 

BEING A MENTEE