Mentoring 101 teaches Sheppard's mentors

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  More than 120 members of Team Sheppard got some expert advice on how to be an efficient member at a Mentoring 101 session held Aug. 10 at the small auditorium in Bldg. 1900. 

Dan Parker, a clinical psychologist and career path speaker, led the session. He discussed the basics of being a mentor including, what a mentor should and should not be. 

"A mentor should be supportive, motivating and goal-oriented," said Mr. Parker. "I love goals because they become the fuel in my tank. You should have no less than three goals so you're not bored, and no more than five so that you're not overwhelmed." 

"A mentor should also be self-aware, respectful of confidences and humble." 

He said he believes that a good mentor should not be arrogant or "ego trip" because "like begets like" and that attitude will only produce the same in the mentee. Keep it professional. 

"Mentors are not the mentee's parent. We are there to walk with them in their journey to success, not walk for them. Mentors are also not there to coach the mentee," Mr. Parker said. 

Mr. Parker figuratively said, coaches shout out a game play and expect it to be followed. Mentors have a well of knowledge and invite the mentee to dip their buckets in when they need to. 

Mr. Parker also talked about the behaviors of a successful mentee. 

He said, "A successful mentee is willing to take risks, respects their mentor's time and time constraints, takes responsibility for their own growth and actions, and will remember that their mentor is not a personal counselor." 

He said he feels that mentees should also show resilience. 

"You can take a cork and pull it to the bottom of a pool and it just pops right back up. Your mentee should show that same type of resilience," he said. 

Ms. Risa Hillard, 82nd Training Group director of training and education, said she felt the mentoring session was very beneficial. 

"I feel like this session is valuable because there are so many people who want to be mentors that just don't know how to do so. This session teaches how to get started and the types of things that should and should not happen," she said.