The role of the Mentor is to provide a mirror for the Mentee and allow the Mentee to develop their skills in their own way. The Mentor should avoid answering specific questions from the Mentee and pose the question back to the Mentee and assist them in finding the answer. The Mentor may set the Mentee a series of questions to be answered by a certain time as a method of developing a particular skill area where the Mentee has expressed a desire to learn more about. There is a wide difference between a Mentor and a line manager and it is this distinction that must be underlined in respect of a Mentor and Mentee relationship or partnership.

Mentor characteristics

A good mentor is: 

• Responsive to the Mentee’s circumstances
• Mentally energetic
• Action orientated
• Highly respected in their particular field
• Knowledgeable about the BCI disciplines
• Willing to learn
• A listener and coach
• A developer of trust and mutual respect
• Encouraging and motivating

Mentor behaviours 

A good Mentor always: 

• Listens with empathy
• Shares experience
• Encourages learning
• Develops insight through reflection
• Provides a professional friendship
• Acts as a sounding board for new and established ideas and thinking

A good Mentor sometimes: 

• Coaches
• Acts as a role model
• Provides help and support
• Challenges thinking and ideas
• Opens doors and removes stumbling blocks

 A good Mentor never: 

• Disciplines
• Appraises work or behaviour
• Assesses
• Supervises