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