What Makes a Great Mentor?
What Makes a Great Mentor?
Great mentoring isn’t about having one tried-and-tested approach. It’s about recognising what another person needs and adapting how you show up.
Sometimes that means coaching or teaching. Sometimes it means challenging someone, listening or offering reassurance. And sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is advocate for someone and open a door when they’re not even in the room.
In this Tea Break Coach, we explore the idea of different mentoring ‘hats’ and why the best mentors build a whole wardrobe of approaches rather than relying on the one that feels most comfortable.
The 8 Hats of Great Mentors: The Firm Foundation Builder
The third of the 8 Hats of Great Mentoring explores the Firm Foundation Builder. Learn why effective mentoring sometimes means providing practical guidance rather than asking coaching questions, and how sharing knowledge at the right time helps mentees develop skills, confidence and independence.
The 8 Hats of Great Mentors: The Reassuring Strong Presence
The second of the 8 Hats of Great Mentoring explores the Reassuring Strong Presence. Learn how recognising vulnerability, listening without judgement and offering reassurance can help mentoring partners feel supported, regain confidence and think more clearly.
The Well-Connected Sponsor
Some of the most powerful mentoring happens outside the room. Meet the Well-Connected Sponsor, one of the eight hats great mentors wear.
