The X-Factor approach to mentoring innovators
Posted on Jan 19th by Paul Thurston in Innovation, creative thinking
Our recent work with NESTA’s Age Unlimited projects has got me thinking about the process of mentoring. We often work with projects to support them through design thinking, innovation and co-design approaches, however a recent discussion with Gene Payne from GoddardPayne got me thinking about some different models for mentoring, particularly those we see in popular culture.
A quick straw poll around the thinkpublic office came up with the following TV shows that use a mentoring process as part of their format, these are; The X Factor, A Place In The Sun, Grand Designs, Strictly Come Dancing, Faking It and Streetmate. I’m sure there’s many more and this is by no means a scientific examination of the process but I see these shows splitting into 3 distinct groups, these are Competition, A Critical Friend and Challenger.
Competition - Pitching different mentors and mentees against each other with the aim of winning a prize (X-Factor, Strictly Come Dancing). In these shows the mentors play a very involved role in the mentees development but are generally not the main focus of the show. For example Cheryl Cole is a ’star’ in X-Factor but the main focus was her mentee and eventual winner, Jo McElderry.
A Critical Friend - A process where one mentor is paired up with a mentee for a specific aim (Grand Designs, A Place in The Sun). In these shows the mentor is the central character/presenter, they often try to stretch the mentee and move them outside their comfort zone. For example, it is Kevin McCloud’s job to ask difficult questions and reflect on decisions made by the mentee’s. A critical friend won’t support their mentee to action their feedback.
Challenger - A mentor supports people to try something out of the ordinary and well ot of their comfort zone (Faking It, Streetmate). In these shows the mentor is a central character but unlike a critical friend, they will help and support the mentee to action their feedback. Taking Faking It as an example, the mentor will ensure that the mentee is signposted to the right training, passes on their significant experience and trains them in various aspects of the role they are faking.
Obviously this is a quick reflection on an activity that has a vast amount of academic research around it but the essence of the mentor’s role seems to fit quite nicely into the three groups. But i’d love to know what you think, have I missed any shows that use mentoring/coaching or are there any other types of role that you think should be up here? Let me know what you think.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your site.
Jan 19th, Noel said:
Can we learn anything from the film “Role models” where the mentee ultimately reframes the mentors role?!
Jan 20th, Paul Thurston said:
Hi Noel,
Thanks for the comment…
I have seen the film but the details are a bit blurry. What do you mean about reframing the mentors role?
Thanks,
Paul
Jan 20th, Dion said:
The mentors role (by definition) is to be a wise and trusted teacher. I’m not sure any of the models take into consideration the need for trust in order for the mentee to gain anything from the experience.
I don’t think the Critical Friend model is relevant as the advice is directed to the audience and not the mentee. In the Competition & Challenger models, it’s the goal of the Mentor that is achieved and not that of the mentee.
What about the Super Nanny model? Or at a stretch, You are what you eat?
Jan 28th, Paul Thurston said:
Hi Dion…You have a good point about trust but I think some of them are ‘wise’ in their areas, I would argue that anyone going through X-Factor must have trust in their mentor in order to be successful - and the same with Faking It. I disagree about the critical friend point as Kevin McCloud does offer direct advice to his ‘project’, I suppose it’s a case of how much is talking to the audience and how much is to the mentee.
I like your suggestion of Super Nanny, it’s a much more involved process but when done well can have a profound on the mentee.
Incidentally, there is a Nursing Times special on mentoring this week, should be interesting.
Feb 6th, Tobi Lawal said:
I think the issue is the blur between being a mentor and a coach.
I am assuming that the initial interaction takes the form of a coaching role, where by you are providing instruction and direction, after which mentoring takes place. The aspects that can be regarded as mentoring or coaching I think would provide interesting debate.
“Can Gerry Robinson Fix Dementia Care Homes” is also a good example to consider, he could be considered as both a challenger and a critical friend.