Good mentoring

March 6, 2009
 so you
want to
be good
mentor?
Dr.Sarma 25
February 2009

March 6, 2009
 • The question is not who
can be a mentor,

• but how can I become a

mentor?”

March 6, 2009
 ‘Behind every successful
person, there is one
elementary truth:
somewhere, somehow,
someone cared about
their growth and
development . This
person was their mentor’
Dr Beverley Kaye, Up is
Not the Only Way, 1997

March 6, 2009
 Mentor = Trusted friend
and advisor

March 6, 2009
 The Mentoring Process
• Learning Goal setting-
• Observation of progress
• Analysis of learning disabilities
• Providing feedback
• Action planning
• Review as often

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 Empowerment
‘Mentoring is a process rather than
an event; mentors must see
themselves as managers of a
process, rather than just passing
on knowledge.’
(Galvin, 1998)

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 Mentor is
someone who
makes a
positive and
enduring
impact on
personal or
professional
life

March 6, 2009
 Qualities of a Good
Mentor
• A patient listener and eagle-eyed
• Inspires trust
• Gives advice without dictating actions
• Encourages independence yet offers support
• Offers constructive criticism as well as compliments
• Open and honest
• A good role model through actions and words
• Willing to spend time, reach out, and share
• An effective intermediary

March 6, 2009
 Making the Most of
Mentor Relationships
```````````Everyone is a learner and a teacher
Take advantage of opportunities to be a mentor
your Help helps you
Helps you to examine your own views on many things
Helps to prepare you for other leadership roles

March 6, 2009
 Advice for New Mentors
• Develop effective Listening habit
• Build a bondage.
• Never come from your rank and
show your authority.
• Encourage self sufficiency.

March 6, 2009
 Advice for New Mentors
• Share your knowledge
• show the light
• Be constructive.
• Don’t be overbearing.
• Find your own mentoring style!

March 6, 2009
 Sign of a Good Mentor –
Good Mentee Pair

“A mentor is like a tattoo, it stays with

you forever.”

From: Mentoring: Turning Pebbles into Diamonds by P.A.

Vesilind as reported in Michigan State University
Research Integrity Vol. 3, No. 2, Spring 1999

March 6, 2009
 Qualities to develop to be a
Good Mentor
1. Committed to the role of mentoring
2. Accepting of the new mentee
3. Skilled in providing support
4. Effective in different interpersonal
contexts
5. A model of a continuous learner
6. Communicates hope and optimism

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 focus on

• non technical
• Use questioning method
• give short assignments
• Engage in discussions on the same
• Provide reference resources- books articles etc to read

March 6, 2009
 What qualities makes a good mentor?
• Strong Interpersonal Skills

• enjoys working with people

• is patient and a good listener
• able to initiate learning opportunities
• is confident of own abilities and achievements

• is willing to share personal experience relevant to

the needs of mentees

March 6, 2009
 What makes a good mentor?

• If you are interested in becoming a

mentor, check yourself against this list:
• First and foremost, are you interested in
helping others to succeed — even if they
may surpass you in achievement?
•

March 6, 2009
 What makes a good mentor?

• Are you capable of active listening — not

interrupting, picking up important cues from
what someone says, able to reflect back the
relevant issues and check understanding,
minimising assumptions and prejudices?
• Are you empathetic - can you convey
understanding of their experience without
saying ‘yes me too’ and launching into
anecdotes of your own?

March 6, 2009
 What makes a good mentor?

• Are you able to question someone sensitively

but empoweringly to help them explore their
own capabilities?
• Guru said - "You are not coward. But you are
tied with the string of pride. Free yourself from it.
Pride doesn't look nice to brave people and
princes, because it is the symbol of weakness.
First try to win your pride. Learn to be polite
because politeness is the path of progress."
• Can you pass on your knowledge and expertise
clearly, encouragingly and helpfully?

March 6, 2009
 Strong Supervisory Skills

• would help mentees to set developmental

goals, create action plans, and schedule time

• able to give feedback and coaching to reinforce

positive behavior

• willing to assume and demonstrate leadership

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 Knowledge of organisation

• knows what career opportunities can be

looked at

• familiar with company policies / rules,

philosophies

March 6, 2009