The Elements of Mentoring

Contents: What Excellent Mentors Do: Matters of Skill -- Choose Proteges Selectively -- Know Your Proteges -- Expect Excellence (and Nothing Else) -- Affirm, Affirm, Affirm, and Then Affirm Some More -- Provide Sponsorship -- Be a Teacher and a Coach -- Encourage and Support -- Offer Counsel in Difficult Times -- Protect When Necessary -- Stimulate Growth with Challenging Assignments -- Give Proteges Exposure and Promote Their Visibility -- Nurture Creativity -- Provide Correction--Even When Painful -- Narrate Growth and Development -- Self-disclose When Appropriate -- Accept Increasing Friendship and Mutuality -- Teach Faceting -- Be An Intentional Model -- Display Dependability -- Traits of Excellent Mentors: Matters of Style and Personality -- Exude Warmth -- Listen Actively -- Show Unconditional Regard -- Tolerate Idealization -- Embrace Humor -- Do Not Expect Perfection -- Attend to Interpersonal Cues -- Be Trustworthy -- Respect Values -- Do Not Stoop to Jealousy -- Arranging the Mentor-Proteg ̌Relationship: Matters of Beginning -- Carefully Consider the "Match" -- Clarify Expectations --
Define Relationship Boundaries -- Consider Protégé Relationship Style -- Describe Potential Benefits and Risks -- Be Sensitive to Gender -- Be Sensitive to Race and Ethnicity -- Plan for Change at the Outset -- Schedule Periodic Reviews or Evaluations -- Knowing Thyself as a Mentor: Matters of Integrity -- Consider the Consequences of Being a Mentor -- Practice Self-Care -- Be Productive -- Make Sure You are Competent -- Hold Yourself Accountable -- Respect the Power of Attraction -- Accept the Burden of Power -- Practice Humility -- Never Exploit Proteges -- When Things Go Wrong: Matters of Restoration -- Above All, Do No Harm -- Slow Down the Process -- Tell the Truth -- Seek Consultation -- Document Carefully -- Dispute Your Irrational Thinking -- Welcoming Change and Saying Goodbye: Matters of Closure -- Welcome Change and Growth -- Accept Endings -- Find Helpful Ways to Say Goodbye -- Mentor as a Way of Life.