How to be a good mentor

This post came out from The Straits Times (9 July 2015)
Title - Learn to teach

Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Vulnerability
2. Focus
3. Reflect on learn

On Vulnerability

• Mentors may feel that mentees are not open enough to share their hears and minds. Yet, most mentees are understandably apprehensive in front of their mentors
• It rests on the mentor to relate to the mentee on a more personal level. They key lies in daring to be vulnerable: a mentor should be willing to take the initiative to share his or her personal background, views and feelings. 
• Once the mentee perceives the mentor to be 'human', he or she will relax.

On Focus

• Successful mentoring should lead to the development of the mentee. To do so, the mentor needs to keep in mind key developmental areas that both parties have to agree upon at the outset of the relationship. 

On Reflect and learn

• The mentor can add more value by helping the mentee view an issue from multiple perspectives instead of imposing his or her own opinions and solutions. 
• The mentor should be more concerned that the mentee can learn better, rather than just do better.
• Mentor needs to help mentee to Reflect - Great mentors always ask 'What happened?'. They guide mentees to reflect on their experiences to slow down, and relieve their work lives, such as recounting a work conflict. 
• Mentor needs to help mentee to Be Aware - Mentors should ask 'So what?'. Doing so would take their mentees further down the road of reflection to realise what they did well and did not. By doing so, mentees would become aware of the impact of their actions. Mentors can also share relevant experiences to encourage and inspire their mentees. 
• Mentor needs to help mentee to Learn - Mentors need to ask 'Now what?'. The mentee needs to take what they learn and convert it to future lessons. 

Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big