Last session we reviewed some definitions of mentoring in light of the historical meaning of this special interpersonal relationship of wisdom and encouragement. Today's post introduces the late John Mallison’s own working definition, used extensively in his book and in his training resources, generously made available with the permission of his family.
"a dynamic, intentional relationship of trust in which
one person enables another to maximise the grace of God
in their life and service."
Mentoring is part of the fabric of life – in families, teams, workplaces. It was demonstrably present in Bible times, and has continued to be used in Christian communities over many centuries. For example John Wesley's Methodist 'Rules' promote the relationality of Christian society, as followers of Jesus cared for each other and spurred one another on to greater faithfulness. Mallison's definition is worthy of specific analysis:
Relationship involves Connection, Bond, Rapport and Concern. Good mentoring means time spent together, although once the relationship is established that togetherness may be on the phone or by Skype.
Dynamic means Stimulating, Empowering, Active, Growing. If the relationship has become stagnant or dull, perhaps it is time to finish.
Intentional - the participants meet with Purpose and Direction - and a clear sense of hope. The setting of goals toagther, the completion of tasks by the mentoree, and the reflection of the mentor about what resources may help will keep the meetings from becoming aimless or haphazard.
Trust takes time to develop, but as it grows so do openness and honesty. The mentor's confidentiality, competence, and credibility accompanied by their skills of active listening, affirmation and encouragement all deepen the bonds of trust.
Enable means to assist, to empower, to give the means to make possible. It carries the idea of a person being actively involved not just a passive listener. The imagery, says Mallison, who was once a technology teacher, is of "a busy workshop with a variety of equipment and resources, with skilled supervisors facilitating the hands-on work of apprentices," rather than that of a teacher in a lecture theatre (MTDDL, p9). Recent educational reform would characterise this as 'Guide on the Side' rather than 'Sage-on-the-Stage' .
Maximise is about bringing out the best in someone or something. Mentoring is all aobut recognising and releasing the potential in a person, potential of which they may have never been aware. We will leave the discussion of the 'grace of God" phrase till a later post, because mentoring can be deeply transforming whether or not there is an explicit 'God-dimension'.
Life and Service - whether or not there is faith on the part of the participants, mentoring does concern itself with using all our gifts and graces for the good of others. The equipping of leaders is an important dimension of this goal.
The Wisdom Literature of the ancient Hebrews makes this observation:
Our Quote of the Day comes from John Mallison himself: Relationship involves Connection, Bond, Rapport and Concern. Good mentoring means time spent together, although once the relationship is established that togetherness may be on the phone or by Skype.
Dynamic means Stimulating, Empowering, Active, Growing. If the relationship has become stagnant or dull, perhaps it is time to finish.
Intentional - the participants meet with Purpose and Direction - and a clear sense of hope. The setting of goals toagther, the completion of tasks by the mentoree, and the reflection of the mentor about what resources may help will keep the meetings from becoming aimless or haphazard.
Trust takes time to develop, but as it grows so do openness and honesty. The mentor's confidentiality, competence, and credibility accompanied by their skills of active listening, affirmation and encouragement all deepen the bonds of trust.
Enable means to assist, to empower, to give the means to make possible. It carries the idea of a person being actively involved not just a passive listener. The imagery, says Mallison, who was once a technology teacher, is of "a busy workshop with a variety of equipment and resources, with skilled supervisors facilitating the hands-on work of apprentices," rather than that of a teacher in a lecture theatre (MTDDL, p9). Recent educational reform would characterise this as 'Guide on the Side' rather than 'Sage-on-the-Stage' .
Maximise is about bringing out the best in someone or something. Mentoring is all aobut recognising and releasing the potential in a person, potential of which they may have never been aware. We will leave the discussion of the 'grace of God" phrase till a later post, because mentoring can be deeply transforming whether or not there is an explicit 'God-dimension'.
Life and Service - whether or not there is faith on the part of the participants, mentoring does concern itself with using all our gifts and graces for the good of others. The equipping of leaders is an important dimension of this goal.
The Wisdom Literature of the ancient Hebrews makes this observation:
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls
and does not have another to help." ( Ecclesiastes 4: 9 - 10)
For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to one who is alone and falls
and does not have another to help." ( Ecclesiastes 4: 9 - 10)
Eugene Peterson's Message translation of the passage puts it this way:
"It’s better to have a partner than go it
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!
Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.
By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst."
....in teams of varying sizes, I have sought to assess the levels of competency of each member and varied the degree of mentoring of each individual accordingly. It has been a delight to observe in my teams the development of confidence and competence that takes place through appropriate encouragement, coaching, support, and delegation of increased responsibility. I now have a network of 14o leaders whom I mentor with varying degrees of intensity.....they are frequently in my prayers." (John Mallison, OAM, 1929 - 2012)
Have you benefited from wise mentorship in a team to which you belong?
Have you offered this kind of wise support in a team situation?
How does Mallison's definition resonate with your experiences?
Godshaped Mentoring is the site where Rev Viv records material shared in the Mentor Training events held in a partnership between two Baptist Churches in Auckland New Zealand in 2012 and 2013. The blog has been set up to ensure people who missed some aspect of of the training can catch up on the themes covered and skills taught, and so we can add insights and feedback as the programme takes shape.
No comments:
Post a Comment