Sometimes people choose a mentor and sometimes they are assigned. Either way, great mentors know it’s not about them. When tempted to show off, they hold back and use objective information to collaborate with employees for continuous growth.
Teachable moments are everywhere but are too often missed. Great leaders want adults to think for themselves, so they resist the temptation to give answers — and ask questions instead. They assume team members are capable of diagnosing problems or issues with good information.
The right questions will help people figure out what’s going on and then guide them to a shared solution that works for everyone involved. Effective mentoring reduces dependency on the leader so they can take on bigger things.
Life is a team sport. Help others learn to connect the dots so we have more artists.