I like to tell lawyers when I am presenting a topic: "This is the interactive part," meaning this is the part when I want them to share their ideas. Well, it is a good time for the interactive part of this blog. I want you to help write a post about mentoring.
I have written many articles on mentoring and done many programs on law firms on the subject. You can click HERE if you want to read my mentoring articles. Based on my history, discussions with senior attorneys about their expereriences with mentors and extensive reading about the subject, I’ve drawn up a list of 40 potential characteristics I believe the best mentors might possess.
Here is your assignment: Pick your top 5-10 characteristics and write why you think each one is an important characteristic and give an example of that characteristic being used. If your ideas are selected I will have you do the guest blog post.
- Principle centered
- Trustworthy
- Ethical
- Role models
- Committed
- Patient
- Understanding
- Respectful
- Responsive
- Motivated
- Talented
- Enthusiastic
- Energetic
- Inspiring
- Unselfish
- Fair
- Thoughtful
- Encouragers
- Upbeat
- Storytellers
- Fun
- Able to identify strengths and weaknesses
- Able to stretch their mentees
- Both demanding and supportive
- Straight forward and decisive
- Even keeled and tempered
- Willing to express gratitude for a job well done
- Able to constructive feedback with the interest of the mentee at heart
- Willingly to share knowledge, insights and ideas
- Still learning themselves
- Willing to let the mentee know him or her as a person
- Able to clearly describe an assignment
- Interested in people
- Confident, yet humble
- Good listeners
- Open and accessible
- Good communicators
- Appreciative of the opportunities they have been given
- Able to read and understand their mentees
- Willing to give credit to others