Mentorship

Comparing Level 1 and Level 2

Level 1

Level 2

Description

At Level 1, mentorship starts with being mentorable. You're open to feedback, eager to learn from others, and willing to share what you know—especially with peers or newer teammates. You don't need to be an expert to support others. Sometimes, offering encouragement, pairing on a task, or sharing a recent learning is the most valuable thing you can do. You begin to see mentorship not as a title, but as a mindset of helping others grow.

Description

At Level 2, mentorship becomes more intentional. You take time to guide others through problems, share context, and help them build confidence and independence. You look for teachable moments and offer feedback with clarity and care. Mentorship is no longer just spontaneous—it's something you consciously make space for. You begin to see your growth as intertwined with the growth of others.

Key Behaviors

  • •
    Welcomes and seeks out feedback
  • •
    Shares helpful tips, resources, or context with peers
  • •
    Paired programming or collaborative work with a learning mindset
  • •
    Encourages teammates and asks good clarifying questions
  • •
    Passes along things they've just learned to others newer to the team

Key Behaviors

  • •
    Offers constructive feedback to help teammates grow
  • •
    Explains decisions, tradeoffs, and reasoning while pairing or reviewing
  • •
    Mentors interns or newer team members through regular check-ins
  • •
    Shares context that helps others connect their work to the bigger picture
  • •
    Supports others' learning goals and growth plans

Common Struggles

  • May feel too junior to mentor others
  • Can hesitate to share for fear of being wrong
  • Might default to receiving help without offering it

Common Struggles

  • May accidentally teach instead of guide
  • Can avoid giving hard feedback or over-explain
  • Might focus on solving the problem instead of building the person

Success Indicators

  • Actively engage in your own learning and growth
  • Support others informally by sharing your experience
  • Create a positive, encouraging environment for questions and exploration
  • Begin to develop your own point of view around what good mentorship looks like

Success Indicators

  • Support others consistently and thoughtfully
  • Adapt your guidance based on the person's needs and level
  • Explain not just what to do, but why
  • Build trust by being approachable, honest, and invested in others' growth

Mindset Shift

From:

"I need help figuring things out."

To:

"I can help others while learning too."

Mindset Shift

From:

"I help others when I can."

To:

"I help others level up consistently and intentionally."

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • What did I learn recently that could help someone else?
  • Who might benefit from a quick check-in or word of encouragement?
  • What questions do I ask that prompt good discussions?

Questions to Ask Yourself

  • What's holding this person back—and how can I help them see it?
  • How do I balance support with space to struggle and grow?
  • What kind of mentor would I want at this point in my career?

Build These Habits

  • 1
    Practice explaining what you've learned
  • 2
    Pair regularly with people at different experience levels
  • 3
    Reflect on what mentorship moments have helped you the most

Build These Habits

  • 1
    Set aside time each week for mentorship, even informally
  • 2
    Reflect on what's working and what's not in each mentoring relationship
  • 3
    Ask teammates what kind of support they prefer

Seek Feedback

  • "Was that explanation helpful?"
  • "Is there a better way I could've supported you?"
  • "What did you find useful (or confusing) when we worked together?"

Seek Feedback

  • "How did our last session or pairing go for you?"
  • "What's one way I could support you better?"
  • "Was my feedback clear and useful?"

Signals You're Ready to Level Up

  • You're regularly contributing to someone else's learning
  • Others come to you with questions or for peer support
  • You feel more confident helping others grow

Signals You're Ready to Level Up

  • You're mentoring consistently, not just occasionally
  • Your mentees are growing in skill, confidence, and independence
  • You're being asked to mentor more intentionally or formally

Focus Summary

  • Be curious
  • Be generous
  • Share what you're learning

At Level 1, mentorship is less about being wise and more about being willing. Helping someone else grow often helps you grow too.

Focus Summary

  • Support with care
  • Teach with humility
  • Grow by growing others

At Level 2, mentorship is about being intentional with your support. It's not about knowing everything—it's about knowing how to show up well for someone else.