5 Habits that you need to give up if you get a chance to mentor

First few years in the career of a Software Developer comprises of focus on personal growth. Things are easier done when you have spent a good amount of time in junior position or in initial years of your career in software development.

Your bag of responsibilities increase by good amount when you enter the phase of mentorship.

Recently I got a chance to mentor my team and I will not shy away from saying that I made a lot of mistakes yet I learnt lot more.

Here are some illustrations that you might experience when you enter the phase of mentorship:

Give hints but let the developer come up with the solution. Avoid spoon-feeding.

Learn to divide the tasks equally even if it is complex. You cannot do everything. Also this is an opportunity for fellow developer to learn.

Practice and learn to complete your task before deadlines. Be a good team player first.

You will face this dilemma every time. Your task should be included while planning other tasks. Just because you have a team to guide, you cannot put your task on less priority.

Obviously you will be involved in a lot of discussions and on a broader level everyone’s task completion is again one part of your task, but at the same time learn to plan and put some buffer story points for your tasks (just in case there is some emergency where team needs your time and help).

Yes the tasks can be critical at times and may need some expertise but never play with the confidence of your juniors. You are here not to demotivate them but to help them analyze the problem and provide a helping hand if the task is critical.

Last but not the least, be humble and treat your team mates with compassion and respect.

Show some love in the form of claps if you like these illustrations. See you all soon in the next medium post.