The Characteristics of a Mentor

The Characteristics of a Mentor What are the characteristics of a mentor?  What exactly is a mentor?

Edward Sellner, a Catholic lay theologian, wrote a book entitled Mentoring.  In his book Sellner points out 7 basic characteristics of talented mentors.

  1. Maturity.  This is a type of wisdom that comes only with age.
  2. Compassion.  This is the ability to listen to someone without judging the individual.
  3. Genuine respect.  This is the practice of listening to someone’s story and their experience in life.
  4. Confidentiality.  The skill of being able to keep a secret.
  5. Self-disclosure.  A willingness to share and be honest.
  6. Growing as a scholar.  This is the experience of reflecting on life’s journey.
  7. Discernment.  This is the action of discerning the movements of the heart and the spirit.

Dale Roach


Mentoring Quotes





“No one learns as much about a subject as one who is forced to teach it.”  Peter F. Drucker

“Remember that mentor leadership is all about serving. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).”  Tony Dungy, The Mentor Leader: Secrets to Building People and Teams That Win Consistently

About Dale Roach

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