‣ Characteristics of a Good Mentor
Andrew Miller offers ten characteristics of effective mentors as follows:
1. Enthusiastic volunteer
Their interest in helping their mentees and setting personal gains aside communicates itself.
2. Accessibility Mentees should be able to contact mentors easily, but with defined, agreed limits.
3. Sensitivity Mentors need to be aware of and sensitive to cultural and gender differences.
4. Self-Awareness Mentors need to know their own weaknesses and values, and to be honest about them. They should be able to share values without imposing them.
5. Discretion Confidentiality is the key to building trust in the relationship.
6. Willingness to learn Mentoring should be a mutual learning experience, not purely one way.
7. Non-judgmental Mentors should try to use positive reinforcement and encouraging behaviours.
8. Patience Patience is especially important in the early stages of relationship building.
9. Positive expectations
10. Kind, tolerant and understanding
Mentors should have high or positive aspirations for their mentees.
These are important qualities in sustaining the relationship ‟ s inevitable highs and lows.
A Miller( 2002) Mentoring students and Young People, Rougledge, London, page 190.
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