On The Should Of Giants: How To Properly Mentor A Junior Developer

As presented at 360iDev 2016 in Denver, CO - USA

Excerpt:
This is the talk I wish some of my mentors in the past would have attended as it would have saved many painful hours.
Everyone these days seems to be mentoring, but what makes for a good mentor? Who better to answer than an over-mentored junior developer?
In the past six years, I have, quite frankly, been overly mentored while going through university, internships, companies, business foundations and many other situations where someone possibly could have mentored me. Some of the mentoring I have received was great, and some was closer to the other end of the spectrum. While there has been much written about this topic, most tend to fall short in listening to the receiving end of a mentor – mentee relationship. This talk will be the anti-matter to that, aimed to give first-hand experience from someone that knows mentors.
Helping beginners to grow is an essential part for any company to stay vital and fresh, yet many fail to acquire and train new talent, or they do not see their mistakes in hindsight. This talk provides insight by giving the missing retrospective by telling the other side of the story.

Transcript

1. On The Shoulder Of Giants: How To Properly Mentor A Junior Developer By: Florian Harr (@evilsx) iOS Software Engineer stable|kernel
 360iDev 2016 | August 23rd 2016
2. stable|kernel is an Atlanta-based mobile development company 
 to craft smartly-designed mobile applications that connect brands 
 directly with their users. 
 
 Our team of engineers and designers takes clients from 
 strategy through design, development and deployment, 
 ensuring timely delivery of the highest quality applications.
3. Hi, I’m [Florian Harr]. • 10/2011 - 10/2014 Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, Stuttgart Germany • 10/2014 - 12/2014 Internship Big Nerd Ranch, Atlanta, GA • 01/2015 - 01/2016 iOS Software Engineer Big Nerd Ranch, Atlanta, GA • 01/2016 - Today iOS Software Engineer Stable|Kernel, Atlanta, GA Other Projects: • Founded Two Startups in Germany • Had My Own Consultancy For ~3 Years
4. @stablekernel What Is A Good Mentor?
5. These are screenshots of copyrighted material, video game graphic, computer program graphic, television broadcast, or film. It is believed that screenshots may be exhibited in this presentation under the fair use provision of United States copyright law. All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Images and text owned by other copyright holders are used here under the guidelines of the Fair Use provisions of United States Copyright Law.
6. @stablekernel Welcome to the team! Hi, I’m Asok! I’m excited to work together All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Images and text owned by other copyright holders are used here under the guidelines of the Fair Use provisions of United States Copyright Law.
7. @stablekernel All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Images and text owned by other copyright holders are used here under the guidelines of the Fair Use provisions of United States Copyright Law.
8. 5 Ways To Fail As Mentor @stablekernel • Make yourself available 
 (Email, Slack, iMessage …) • Keep in contact regularly I’m going to be on a business trip for the next 6 months where I can’t be bothered #1 Neglect The Relationship
9. 5 Ways To Fail As Mentor @stablekernel • Share common moral/ethic • Mismatch is not your fault • Help your protege by finding a better mentor #2 Not Admitting A Mismatch DILBERT © 2005 Scott Adams. Used By permission of UNIVERSAL UCLICK. All rights reserved.
10. 5 Ways To Fail As Mentor @stablekernel • Provide a safe zone • Put office politics aside • Share your perspective • Don’t share what you’ve discussed • A break in the chain of trust is unforgivable So I tell you, the real reason Asok goes to 360iDev is for the munchies #3 Breaking Confidentiality
11. 5 Ways To Fail As Mentor @stablekernel • Don’t impose your will • Your job is to help and guide • Don’t control and micro-manage #4 Creating A Carbon Copy Of Yourself DILBERT © 2013 Scott Adams. Used By permission of UNIVERSAL UCLICK. All rights reserved.
12. 5 Ways To Fail As Mentor @stablekernel • Goes for both sides • errāre hūmānum est = to err is human • Get stronger from mistakes #5 Make Room For Mistakes On Both Sides All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Images and text owned by other copyright holders are used here under the guidelines of the Fair Use provisions of United States Copyright Law.
13. What could have been done better? Give Them The Benefit Of Working With You Directly • What’s easy for you might be not easy for them • Offer to include them in everything possible • Don’t restrict it to technology Set Expectations And Goals • Celebrate their achievements • Clearly communicate possible rewards • Give feedback regularly @stablekernel
14. What could have been done better? Establish A Safe Zone For Your Mentee • Provide positive reinforcement • Stay open minded and put office politics aside when they need advice • Go the extra mile when helping them Lead By Example • Give more than they ask for • Respect confidentiality as a basic right @stablekernel
15. All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Images and text owned by other copyright holders are used here under the guidelines of the Fair Use provisions of United States Copyright Law.
16. @stablekernel Mentors Inspire Us To Do What We Do
17. @stablekernel Proper Mentorship … • Helps Retain Great Talent • Solves Problems In The Long-Term • Are Mutually Beneficial • Help Businesses To Stay Vital And Fresh All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Images and text owned by other copyright holders are used here under the guidelines of the Fair Use provisions of United States Copyright Law.
18. Summary • Approach Each Mentorship Differently • Take A Genuine Interest In Your Protégé As A Person • It’s Not (Exclusively) About Technology • Give More Than They Ask For • Solve For The Long-Term • Lead By Example @stablekernel
19. @stablekernel Most Important: Do It! Mentoring is a skill that needs practice as every other skill does! All copyrights belong to their respective owners. Images and text owned by other copyright holders are used here under the guidelines of the Fair Use provisions of United States Copyright Law.
20. Questions? Business Inquiries: Sarah Woodward Director of Business Development sarah.woodward@stablekernel.com Florian Harr 
 Twitter - @evilsx iOS Software Engineer florian.harr@stablekernel.com blog.stablekernel.com