„‚ CONDITIONS THAT HINDER EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Developing an Awareness of Mentoring Skills
Obviously, there are certain skills and characteristics required of mentors and protégés,
just as there are certain requirements of the parties of any coaching relationship (Murray
& Owen, 1991). The following are skills and characteristics that mentors must have:
■ Knowledge of the organization;
■ Technical competence;
■ Exemplary supervisory skills;
■ Status and prestige;
■ Personal power and charisma;
■ Willingness to be responsible for someone else’s growth;
■ Personal security and self-confidence;
■ Willingness to trust;
■ Ability to generate trust;
■ Openness;
■ Ability to communicate effectively;
■ Innovativeness;
■ Willingness to share credit;
■ Patience and tolerance;
■ Ability to be introspective;
■ Accessibility; and
■ Willingness to take risks.
Some of the more important mentor assets are personal security and self-confidence,
accessibility, the ability to generate trust, and openness to sharing experiences.
Protégés need these skills and characteristics:
■ Desire to learn;
■ Interest in people;
■ Orientation toward a goal;
■ Conceptual ability;
■ Initiative;
■ Ability to be introspective; and
■ Assertiveness.
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The Pfeiffer Library Volume 6, 2nd Edition. Copyright ©1998 Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer