Top 10 Must-Read Books On Mentoring

10 Books for Every Mentor

Here are our top 10 picks for books that offer guidance on becoming a better mentor. These titles are ideal for anyone looking to learn how to be a more successful practitioner. 

1. Mentoring 101: What Every Leader Needs to Know by John C Maxwell

Publishing Year: 2008

As a leader, you know the importance of mentoring. You also know that it can be difficult to find the time and energy to invest in mentoring relationships. That’s why John C. Maxwell’s book Mentoring 101 is such a valuable resource. In it, Maxwell distills the essentials of mentoring into a package that is concise, easy to read, and packed with practical advice. Whether you’re looking for books for mentors or mentees, Mentoring 101 is a must-read. It will help you develop the skills you need to build strong, lasting relationships that will positively impact your career and your life.

A mentor is someone who shares their time, energy, and knowledge with someone else to help them grow and develop.  What Every Leader Needs to Know” by John C. Maxwell is a great place to start. In this book, Maxwell outlines the key principles of effective mentoring, including the importance of building relationships, setting goals, and providing feedback. He also includes helpful tips for dealing with difficult situations and maintaining a healthy mentoring relationship. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to mentoring, “Mentoring 101” is the perfect place to start.

2. The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People and Teams That Win Consistently by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker

Publishing Year: 2010

Tony Dungy’s book, The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People and Teams That Win Consistently, is a perfect read for those who want to be effective mentors. Dungy shares his secrets to building people and teams that win consistently in the book. He starts by discussing the importance of setting the tone for the team and establishing clear expectations. He then goes on to share his strategies for developing relationships with team members, fostering teamwork, and making everyone feel like they are part of the team. Throughout the book, Dungy provides insights that will help mentors build strong relationships with their mentees and create a winning team culture. If you are looking for a book that will help you become a better mentor, then this is a perfect choice.

The book covers topics such as setting goals, providing feedback, and developing relationships. In addition, The Mentor Leader includes many case studies and examples of successful mentoring relationships. Whether you are new to mentoring or you are looking for ways to improve your skills, The Mentor Leader is an essential resource.

3. The Mentoring Manual: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Being a Better Mentor by Julie Starr

Publishing Year: 2014

The Mentoring Manual: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Being a Better Mentor is an essential book for anyone who wants to improve their mentoring skills. Written by Julie Starr, a leading authority on mentoring, the book provides a step-by-step guide to becoming a better mentor. It covers topics such as how to build trust and rapport with mentees, how to give feedback effectively, and how to manage difficult conversations. The book also includes a wealth of practical tools and resources that mentors can use in their work with mentees. Whether you are new to mentoring or have been doing it for years, The Mentoring Manual is an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to be a better mentor.

The book covers a wide range of topics, from how to choose the right mentee to how to give feedback effectively. Starr also includes a number of helpful tools, such as sample questions to ask during a mentoring session and guidelines for setting achievable goals. Whether you’re a seasoned mentor or just getting started, this book will help you take your mentoring to the next level.

4. 10 Steps to Successful Mentoring by Wendy Axelrod

Publishing Year: 2019

In her book “10 Steps to Successful Mentoring”, Wendy Axelrod provides a helpful guide for those who are looking to mentor others. The book begins by outlining the different types of mentoring relationships and then goes on to provide practical advice for developing a successful mentoring partnership. One of the key points that Axelrod stresses is the importance of setting clear expectations from the outset. This includes agreeing on mutually-acceptable goals, agreeing on communication frequency and format, and establishing ground rules for the relationship. By taking the time to establish these guidelines, mentors and mentees can be sure that they are both on the same page from the start.

This book is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in mentoring others, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering entering into a mentoring relationship. Throughout the book, Axelrod provides practical advice and tips based on her own experience as a mentor. This makes the book an invaluable resource for anyone who is looking to become a mentor or who is already mentoring but wants to improve their skills. In addition, the book includes a number of helpful exercises and case studies. Overall, “10 Steps to Successful Mentoring” is an essential guide for anyone interested in becoming a mentor.

5. Elements Of Mentoring: 75 Practices Of Master Mentors by W. Brad Johnson

Publishing Year: 2004

W. Brad Johnson’s book, Elements Of Mentoring: 75 Practices Of Master Mentors, is a comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to improve their mentoring skills. The book is divided into four sections: building relationships, providing support, giving feedback, and modeling mentoring behaviors. Each section contains a wealth of information and practical tips that any mentor can use to improve their practice. In addition, the book includes a helpful appendix with lists of resources for further reading. Whether you are new to mentoring or you are looking for ways to improve your existing practice, this book is an essential resource.

Within each section, Johnson offers a variety of mentor tips, strategies, and exercises designed to help mentors become more effective in their roles. While some of the book’s content may be familiar to experienced mentors, much of it will be new and useful for those who are just starting. Overall, Elements of Mentoring is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to learn more about how to mentor effectively.

6. HBR Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need (HBR Guide Series) by Harvard Business Review

Publishing Year: 2013

The Harvard Business Review Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the mentoring process. The book begins by discussing the different types of mentoring relationships and then provides advice on how to find the right mentor for your needs. It also covers communicating effectively with your mentor, setting goals, and providing feedback. In addition, the book includes a section on how to be a good mentee, including tips on preparing for meetings and following up afterward. Overall, the book is an excellent resource for anyone looking to establish a mentoring relationship. It is well-written and provides clear guidance on every step of the process.

The book’s author, Harvard Business Review, lays out a framework for how to get the mentoring you need to be successful. The book discusses the importance of mentor relationships and how to go about finding and developing them. The book also includes advice on giving back to your mentee and staying motivated as a mentor. HBR Guide to Getting the Mentoring You Need” is an informative and helpful book that any mentor should read.

7. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Kahneman

Publishing Year: 2011

If you are looking for a book that will provide you with keen insights into the workings of the human mind, then you should definitely read Thinking, Fast and Slow by Kahneman. In this book, Kahneman investigates the two systems that drive the way we think and make choices. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional, while System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. Although we like to think of ourselves as rational beings, Kahneman shows that System 1 actually dominates our decision-making most of the time. This has important implications for many aspects of our lives, from personal relationships to financial decisions.

For anyone who wants to better understand how they (and others) think and make choices, this book is essential reading. Kahneman demonstrates that our biases often lead us to make poor decisions when we rely on System 1 thinking. However, we can improve our decision-making by slowing down and using System 2 thinking. The book provides many examples of how we can do this in our everyday lives. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to better understand how their brain works and how they can make better decisions.

8. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Cover

Publishing Year: 2004

The book is a book for mentors, coaches, and other individuals who are in positions of influence. The book is based on the premise that there are seven habits that highly effective people possess. The book is divided into seven sections, each section focusing on one of the seven habits. The book provides an abundance of real-life examples to illustrate each habit. The cover does an excellent job of providing step-by-step instructions on how to incorporate these habits into one’s own life. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for those seeking to improve their productivity.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change is a book for mentors by Stephen R. Covey. The book has become one of the most influential works on self-improvement and effective leadership. Throughout the book, Covey provides readers with anecdotes and real-world examples of how these principles can be put into practice. He also offers practical advice on how to overcome common obstacles to success, such as procrastination, lack of motivation, and negative thinking. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is an essential read for anyone seeking to improve their personal or professional life.

9. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

Publishing Year: 2007

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck is a book that explores how our mindset can impact our ability to achieve success. The book begins by discussing the two different types of mindset: fixed and growth. Those with a fixed mindset believe that their skills and abilities are set in stone, while those with a growth mindset believe that they can continue to develop and improve with effort and practice. Dweck argues that it is the growth mindset that predicts success in life, as it leads people to persevere through challenges and embrace learning opportunities. The book provides readers with practical advice on how to cultivate a growth mindset in themselves and others. It is an essential read for anyone who works with others, whether as a mentor, teacher, or coach.

10. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Publishing Year: 2008

In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell argues that success is not simply a matter of hard work and talent but of opportunity and circumstances. He cites the example of Bill Gates, who had access to a cutting-edge computer at a time when few people did. This allowed him to develop his skills and eventually become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. While some people may be born with advantages, Gladwell shows that anyone can achieve success with the right opportunities. As such, this book is important for mentors, who can help their mentees identify and seize upon opportunities for success.