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Mentoring 
 Future Leaders

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<strong>Mentoring</strong> <strong>Future</strong> <strong>Leaders</strong><br />

© Learning Link International<strong>
</strong><br />

April 2005<br />

(Whitworth, et al, 1998, p. 69).<br />

Repeating, Summarising and Paraphrasing<br />

Powerful listening is demonstrated by<br />

techniques such as, repeating verbatim,<br />

summarising and paraphrasing what has<br />

been discussed.<br />

Repeating Verbatim<br />

gives a clear signal to the mentee that you have<br />

listened. But repetition does not signal that you have fully understood. It is<br />

appropriate when a particular set of words, or word, has significance for the<br />

mentee. That you have picked up on that significance is a demonstration<br />

of your understanding.<br />

Summarising<br />

Presenting in shortened form or extracting the essence is another<br />

demonstration of your understanding. In mentoring it can also be used to<br />

check whether you in fact understand correctly. Summarising involves<br />

pulling the threads of the speaker’s communication together, ‘Let me check<br />

whether I have got things straight’.<br />

You can also let the mentee summarise or paraphrase. It can also<br />

emphasize what is truly important to him or her. It is also a good recovery<br />

technique if you have lost the thread and either don’t have the courage to<br />

own up or feel it is inappropriate: ‘There was a lot there. Could you<br />

summarise it for me?’<br />

Paraphrasing Content<br />

This involves feeding back the significant points to ensure that one’s<br />

understanding is correct. Paraphrasing communicates respect, builds trust<br />

and reduces distortion. Paraphrases need only be brief, and tentative – in<br />

case you have misunderstood. For example: ‘What you seem to be saying<br />

…’ or ‘It sounds as if …’ When you have finished paraphrasing, return to<br />

active listening. The speaker will correct any information you may have<br />

misinterpreted.<br />

Module 4 - <strong>Mentoring</strong> Skills Page ! 1

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