Page 31 - the SyI Quarterly 14 Booklet Format

Education and Learning

The Skills of Mentor specific skills

• Instructing/developing capabilities
• Inspiring
• Providing corrective feedback
a Mentor • Managing risks
• Opening doors

Mentee specific skills
• Acquiring mentors
• Learning quickly
• Showing initiative
For years it was widely held that successful mentoring came • Following through
from a natural chemistry between the mentor and mentee. • Managing the relationship
As a result some people naturally fell into a successful
mentoring relationship, reaping the rewards; whilst such a Skills for both mentor and mentee
relationship eluded many others. • Actively listening
• Building trust
In 1977 as part of her doctoral dissertation, psychologist • Encouraging
Linda Phillips-Jones examined hundreds of mentor-mentee • Identifying goals and current reality
relationships, as well as those individuals who had been
unable to identify any mentors in their lives. This was the first Here we will look more in-depth at the skills required for a mentor:
time academic research had looked to get under the skin of
a mentoring relationship. The result was an understanding 1. Actively listening
that mentoring was much more complex than first thought When we listen well, we demonstrate that the mentee’s concerns have been heard and understood.
– and that mentors and mentees use specific processes This enables our relationship to grow and for trust to build. If you’re an excellent listener you will:
and skills throughout their relationship. Furthermore these
processes and skills can be learnt and honed, to make the • Make encouraging responses and paraphrase the point the mentee has made
mentor-mentee relationship more enjoyable, effective and • Use appropriate non-verbal communication, such as looking into the mentee’s eyes, nodding as
time-efficient. The research identified the following mentoring they speak, mirroring their non-verbal communication, ie. smiling when they smile
skills: • Show interest in things the mentee has said previously
• Never interrupt the mentee

2. Building Trust
Trust develops over time, to help this you should:

• Keep confidences
• Spend sufficient time with your mentee
• Deliver on your promises
• Take responsibility for any errors
• Explain sensitively why you disagree with a mentee’s view

3. Encouraging
Phillips-Jones’ research identified that the most valued mentoring skill is giving encouragement.
Encouragement builds a mentee’s confidence, enabling them to develop.

• Praise your mentee
• Point out their positive traits
• Express your appreciation

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