When you are in a position of leadership, you may quickly find yourself in a mentoring role as well, regardless of your age. People crave community and the workplace is no different. When situations present themselves, coworkers and employees may look to you for guidance in navigating hard tasks.

Consider the following if you find yourself being a mentor at work:

1. Give your mentee specific goals. This will allow your conversations to be productive and not turn into a venting session. Having goals will keep the conversation flowing, but also focused. 
2. Work to create a comfortable environment. Find ways to help them feel they are heard and understood and they can discuss with you various topics that will help them grow as a person, not just professionally. 
3. Show that you are an active listener. Let them discuss. Ask questions instead of always offering solutions right away. Give them a chance to process what they are thinking. 
4. Offer feedback that is constructive. When they have demonstrated their concerns, look for opportunities to speak truth and beneficial feedback into their situation. This may encourage more conversation or take the conversation elsewhere. Both are beneficial and necessary in this kind of relationship. 
5. Encourage self-reflection. One of the biggest goals of your mentorship should be to get them to a point where they can process situations on their own, without your guidance. Asking the right questions and developing their own self-reflection can give them confidence when situations present themselves. 

One of the best ways to up your mentorship skills is to surround yourself with mentors. How often are you seeking out guidance and feedback from others? Your own investment in this area can place you in a position to share the wealth with those you are mentoring.