Character and qualities of a mentoring relationship

Mentoring relationships strive to engage the mentee holistically – as a relational, intellectual, emotional and spiritual being. Mentoring relationships (herein MR) are intentional in nature and in light of their formative potential ought to possess the following characteristics.

§  A MR values all participants as learners; each participant must be authentic, open and willing to learn from the other(s).

§  MRs involve learning to converse with each other. Adults learning to talk with young people, young people learning to talk with adults.

§  MRs are marked by mutual respect.

§  MRs respect boundaries; they do not force their way into areas of life where one is not comfortable going.

§  In MRs a mentor does not tell someone what to do; they ask questions and tell stories that challenge the mentee's perspective and frame of reference.

§  MRs seek to assist one in thinking through issues by asking questions, challenging assumptions, exploring options, identifying the possible intended and unintended consequences of one's attitudes, decisions and actions.

§  A MR challenges the mentee to consider and process perspectives that they may not normally consider.