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FOUR ICEBREAKER QUESTIONS
1. Would you rather have wheels for legs or binoculars for eyes?
2. Who are the more talented entertainers – Hollywood actors or Premier League footballers?
3. A ship is sinking and you can only save two people. Who do you save? The strong healthy sailor, the baby with Down’s Syndrome, her terminally-ill young mother, the elderly doctor, or the atheist, drug-addicted musician?
4. What are the top three things you’d love to do before you die?
FOUR GREAT ALTERNATIVES TO GOING FOR A COFFEE
1. Take them with you when you next do the tuck shop run. They get to see the inner workings of your job and you get some quality, non-intense time with them.
2. Find some long distance errand or adventure / meeting / speaking engagement where it is highly likely you will get lost on the way (leave the Sat Nav at home and get them to read the directions for you). You’ll create fun memories that you can refer back to in future.
3. Go for a long walk, maybe even a distance challenge. Make sure it is hard work but just on the safe side of overly exhausting.
4. Decide to do a huge mailout. Invite your mentee round to stuff the envelopes – mindless repetitive work is good for non-threatening conversation and funny memories!
FOUR THINGS NOT TO TRY WITH YOUR MENTEE
1. Bungee jumping.
2. Taking a selfie in McDonalds.
3. Rainbow loom.
4. Adopting their slang words.
FOUR TIPS FOR GREAT MENTORING
1. Take an hour out to pray for them, asking God for insight and wisdom or prophecy to encourage them.
2. Ask: is this the most helpful way of doing this for my mentee’s particular character and disposition? Are my plans for the relationship going to be directly useful, energising and empowering for them?
3. Don’t formulate your own response before they have finished speaking – and repeat back to them what you have understood they have said.
4. Pay attention to what they don’t say or do. Try to be aware of (and tease out if necessary) the things they are thinking but don’t feel able to say.
