Preparing the mentor(s)

The Lift-off is an opportunity for the mentors to create an enabling environment for the team. In practical terms, this may mean the following:

Encouraging the team to experiment and to try new things, without waiting for permission. “We are here to support you. Making mistakes during the 100 days is OK. We can learn and move on.”

Leading with confident humility, by telling the team: “You will figure out the solutions to make progress on this challenge. If we knew the solutions, we would have implemented them. We are confident you will figure this out. And we are here to help you.

Not interfering with the team when they are setting their goal. In fact, it would be best if they leave the room when the team is doing this.

This may not come naturally to some mentors. So it is important that you take some time with them before the start of the workshop to go over the agenda and the expectations from them in each part of the agenda. They will appreciate that you are doing this, and it’ll help them further understand their role and the rationale for it, and to get tips on how to play this role effectively.

This lesson have tips to help mentors prepare for questions they may be asked by the team during the workshop. You can also download the tips, at the end of the lesson, to share with the mentors.

Mentors attend the first and last part of the Lift-off workshop. Other leaders are also welcome but it is important that leaders and mentors do not participate in the goal setting, work planning and team agreement elements, to show that you mean what you say – it is their challenge and you are available to support.

Here are the tips for practising the 30-Day Challenge way of leading during the Lift-off workshop.

Lift-off Opening session

The purpose of the opening is to make team members feel welcome, have them energised early on, and signal that this is a different kind of workshop. In the Clarify the Challenge session it is to make sure team members understand the “why” of this effort and what is expected from them. Continue to give the feeling that this is different…

Doing it the 30-Day Challenge Way

Prepare with the mentor beforehand to do an opening reflecting that this is not business as usual – be creative and informal.
Confirm with the mentor that they will show up—this will signal to the team that they are serious about the challenge and that the team should be, too.
Prepare talking points with the mentors for the opening session. This will include a recap of the focus area and why the leaders chose it, as well as clarifying why the team members were chosen.

Team members may have questions based on the Challenge note. When the team poses questions the mentors cannot answer, it is OK to tell them, ‘I do not know…’. The mentor must say to that team that it is OKAY to try things out without asking for their permission first: “If in doubt, ask a colleague to give you advice.”

In the Tips for Mentors document (you can download at the end of the lessons) there are more potential questions with answers you can share with the mentors.

Lift-off Closing session

During the last session, the mentors rejoin the workshop, and the team share their 30-day goal and plan highlights. This is an opportunity for the team to get support from the mentors and other community leaders.

Finally, the Convener/facilitator will facilitate an appreciation activity, after which the mentors will be asked to make a closing comment. Think of something to say to help end the workshop on a high and inspirational note!

The session reinforces the team’s sense of pride and excitement about the project. It prepares the mentors (and leaders) to support the team during the 30 days. It reinforces to all that this will not be business as usual. The appreciation activity is for you and the team to practice appreciating each other’s contributions and finish the Lift-off session on a high note.

It is helpful for mentors to react and give feedback in a way that increases the team’s confidence in the possibility of success. Remember that the plan they will present is based on the team’s experience and the information available. As the team moves into action and learns more, the work plan will expand and improve.

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Change to 30-Day Challenge and create a download version – Alrien