Bruce Staley

Mentoring Tool #2 This next illustration is a powerful tool to capture and convey the essence of the experience of a person under stress. The illustration, which is based on a spiral, can be used in conjunction with Mentoring Tool #1 or on its own. Step One: After listening to the the person’s situation I ask if I can sketch out what I think they are experiencing. The pictorial appearance of their experience generally generates further discussion and verification that the sketch is an accurate reflection… Step Two: I pause for a few moments then ask, ”What would it take for you to breakout of the spiral?” and insert the arrow breaking out of the spiral. Again it is important to pause and not offer solutions rather allow time for the person to suggest their own ways of breaking the cycle… The interesting aspect of this illustration is that while the downward spiral may have occurred over time once an action plan has been identi

Mentoring Tool #2 This next illustration is a powerful tool to capture and convey the essence of the experience of a person under stress. The illustration, which is based on a spiral, can be used in conjunction with Mentoring Tool #1 or on its own. Step One: After listening to the the person’s situation I ask if I can sketch out what I think they are experiencing. The pictorial appearance of their experience generally generates further discussion and verification that the sketch is an accurate reflection… Step Two: I pause for a few moments then ask, ”What would it take for you to breakout of the spiral?” and insert the arrow breaking out of the spiral. Again it is important to pause and not offer solutions rather allow time for the person to suggest their own ways of breaking the cycle… The interesting aspect of this illustration is that while the downward spiral may have occurred over time once an action plan has bee

MENTORING TOOL # 1 I have found it helpful to build up a tool kit of illustrations in my consulting work with people in leadership and management. My view is that management responsibility provides is an arena where the character of people is tested, revealed and shaped. Therefore the responsibility of the mentor extends to facilitating character and capacity building. Character and capacity are inter-related in terms of the management and leadership function. The power of mentoring illustrations is in their simplicity. Their purpose is to capture and convey the essence of the manager’s or leader’s experience at the time. Once the experience is clarified and acknowledged then an action plan can be developed to help the person move forward in character and capacity. Some of the illustrations I will mention in the coming weeks have been adapted from other sources and where possible I will acknowledge the source. This first illustration is adapted from Kath Donovan’s book, Growing Through

MENTORING TOOL # 1 I have found it helpful to build up a tool kit of illustrations in my consulting work with people in leadership and management. My view is that management responsibility provides is an arena where the character of people is tested, revealed and shaped. Therefore the responsibility of the mentor extends to facilitating character and capacity building. Character and capacity are inter-related in terms of the management and leadership function. The power of mentoring illustrations is in their simplicity. Their purpose is to capture and convey the essence of the manager’s or leader’s experience at the time. Once the experience is clarified and acknowledged then an action plan can be developed to help the person move forward in character and capacity. Some of the illustrations I will mention in the coming weeks have been adapted from other sources and where possible I will acknowledge the source. This first illustration is adapted from Kath Donovan’s book, Growing Through