10 Qualities of a Good Mentor

In the blog “Have you got the wrong idea about mentoring?” - We established how people may just have the wrong idea about who exactly is a mentor. If you have the following qualities, it is likely you will be a Great Mentor, leader and person of influence.

1. Willingness to share knowledge, skills and experiences.

Good Mentors do not have to know everything, they just have to be willing to teach, share or guide others with what they do know. Effective Mentors also learn how to improve their leadership skills through the process.

2. Accept others without expectations or judgments.

A Good Mentor understands and accepts, where the person is in their professional and personal development without judging them. Mentors are able to gain more understanding of how people from different generations, ethnic groups, cultures and backgrounds, approach their work and careers.

           3. Communicates effectively.

Effective communication is fundamental to success in many aspects of life. Many people do not communicate effectively, and therefore by applying these skills to the mentoring process, a Mentor is able to not only practice these important interpersonal skills, but help others to develop them as well. Effective communication involves learning how to be a good listener, having an awareness of other people’s emotions, being able to empathize by seeing things from the other person’s point of view, and by offering words of encouragement and praise.  

              4. Is a positive role model.

A Good Mentor sets a good example by remaining professional at all times, demonstrates specific behaviours, actions or attitudes required to succeed such as: how to persevere, be assertive, manage conflict, remain accountable, have enthusiasm, be cooperative, deliver results and how to remain humble and be grateful. They are usually well respected and they respect others.

               5. Values learning and growing.

Good Mentors value the importance of continuous learning for development and growth. They are willing to teach others, share their knowledge and are always open and willing to learn new things.  

Good Mentors are committed and open to experimenting with their learning. Mentors are able to improve their understanding and become more proficient by teaching others. They are also able to develop new skills as they learn from those they mentor.

             6. Sets continuous and achievable goals.

A Good Mentor is able to show others how to continually set personal and professional goals that are achievable. They are able to demonstrate through personal example the way to form good habits that lead to professional goal development and personal success.

             7. Provides guidance and constructive feedback.

A key responsibility of a Good Mentor is to provide constructive feedback. This allows the person to identify their current strengths and weaknesses and to learn how to use them to succeed. They also provide challenges that help the person with professional development and goal accomplishment. Mentors may also reflect on their own failures and challenges through the sharing of information.

           8. Is committed and invested in the relationship.

Good Mentors are responsible and committed to the mentoring relationship. They teach from example by investing the time and effort to help people. Mentors who show this form of commitment, also demonstrate a willingness to do whatever it takes to become successful, and the people they are mentoring can learn a lot from this form of commitment. It requires perseverance and determination; which are also important attributes that show the mentor’s own strengths.

                   9. Empower others.

A Mentor who empowers others is committed to making a difference, acts with integrity, brings out the best in people, is insightful, adapts to cultural differences, is open to criticism, seeks and uses feedback, learns from mistakes and has the courage to take risks. A Good Mentor recognizes and appreciates other people’s efforts and empowers them, by enabling them with the necessary skills to develop their own strengths, beliefs and personal attributes. This helps the person to achieve their goals and reach their potential.

                

             10. Motivates and Inspires.

A Good Mentor supports, encourages and validates others. They are able to encourage and inspire people to be more engaged in their work. They help people to recognize their own talents and passions.

Even if you don’t have all these skills, through mentoring, you will be able to practice and utilise these techniques, which will help you to develop the qualities of a Great Mentor.

Mentors Insync makes it easy for Mentors, as you are not required to be the expert at everything. Our approach focuses on the immediate needs or goals of the mentee; therefore you only need those specific skill sets that will benefit the mentee. You also have complete autonomy to choose the specific period of time that suits you to commit to the mentoring process.

You have the power to make the difference to yours and someone else’s life.