What are some effective ways to guide and support a mentee without being too directive?

In my experience I practice Socratic Coaching which is the art of asking the questions that will guide your Coachee to the learning you are looking for. It is important these questions are Open Ended, Engaging, and Thought Provoking.

To me, intuition is very important in any session, whether it's with a group or an individual. As a mentor/trainer, I closely observe person's body language and voice movements. My questions guide them toward real issues, always aiming for discovery rather than interrogation, often uncovering unexpected truths. Probing questions yield positive results, and in some cases, rapid-fire questioning can be effective when minds wander. In others, pauses allow reflection and deeper insights. Another important answer to this question is, cultural differences, which can determine the level of directness appropriate for the client. Because in some cultures directness can lead to breakthroughs.

Coaching should always be about helping the coachee understand themselves better. Rather than giving them our own ideas, our job should be to ask them open ended questions which would help them come out with the answers which even they were not aware of themselves. Giving them directives may not be as effective as they might not follow what we ask. They would want to follow what they came up with. Hence, ask right questions, always!

As a mentor, it is important to know and understand that each person is unique and they like to take their own decisions. While a mentor can give suggestions, the best impact on the coachee's growth comes from those decisions and actions which they feel they have taken of their own accord. When so, they own it. # 1. Lead them to the knowledge available on the subject. Let them gather the information and deliberate on it. Be cautious about 'telling' unless they want to be 'told'. #2. Ask them questions which help them see the issue from every angle. #3. Questioning is a skill. This needs to be done with an open mind and in a way that it opens the mentee up rather than shut them down.

I've seen how powerful open-ended questions help mentees; to think deeply and come up with solutions on their own. The 7 W questions will always work. These are What, Where, When, Which, Who, Why & How. Never be afraid to challenge their answers. Learn body language so you can see what's going on in their minds when they answer or are thinking up of answers to your questions.

In guiding a mentee, facilitate their journey rather than directing it. Practice being fully present in your listening, focusing on understanding rather than responding. Set aside personal biases, embracing your role as a facilitator of their self-discovery. Encourage mindfulness and self-reflection, allowing them to explore their own thoughts and feelings. Use silence effectively, as it can be a space for profound insights. Show empathy and validate their experiences, helping them connect with their inner wisdom. Remember, guidance is a shared journey of learning and growth.

You're feedback should be constructive and I love the STAR-AR system. But I use it differently. I don't provide the feedback directly. I ask questions to empower them to come with solutions. This is how I do it: S/T - state the situation or task (i.e. context) of the feedback A - ask them what action they took in that context R - ask them what the results were of that action A - ask them what alternate actions they could take in future similar context R- ask them what the alternate results could be for that alternate action Get them to summarise to get clarity on their understanding and commitment to act. T -

To support a mentee without being overly directive, we need to focus on fostering their autonomy while guiding them toward effective goal setting. We can begin by helping them clarify their goals, categorize them (habit-forming, reach, and stretch goals), and assess feasibility. Encouraging visualization of success and working backward to identify necessary steps. As a mentor, we need to empower them to take ownership of their growth journey.

A conversation that is self reflective, a feedback that adds curiosity, ask questions that is opens new doors or opportunities for the mentee. Let the mentee own their idea, reflection and decision. That's where the feedback works the most.

One effective way to guide and support a mentee without being too directive is by adopting a mentorship approach that promotes active listening and open-ended questioning. By actively listening, you can understand their thoughts, feelings, and goals, allowing you to provide support tailored to their needs. Open-ended questions encourage mentees to think critically, reflect on their own experiences, and generate solutions independently. This approach empowers mentees to take ownership of their development while fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented relationship. Additionally, offering constructive feedback and sharing relevant resources can further contribute to their professional and personal growth without being overly prescriptive

It's important to keep in mind that while, as the mentor, you've been in the position your mentee is in, your role is not to help them recreate the experience you had. Your role as the mentor is to guide them on THEIR path, not yours.

Share with your mentees relevant resources that will help them and tools. Don't restrict yourself to sharing only free tools. If these are paid tools, let them decide if it'll help them and let them decide.

To guide and support a mentee effectively without being overly directive, it's essential to foster a sense of discovery and autonomy. nstead of providing direct answers, encourage them to explore various solutions and learn from the process. Sharing your own experiences can be invaluable, offering insights without dictating their path. Promote a habit of reflection, enabling mentees to draw lessons from their experiences. Support them in taking calculated risks, providing a safety net that encourages growth through new challenges. Recognizing and celebrating their independent problem-solving and decision-making reinforces their confidence and self-reliance.